Christian Sinclair, MD, is assistant professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center and president of the American Association of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). He also serves as editor of Pallimed, a website focusing on end-of-life news and research.
Dr. Sinclair received his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of California — San Diego as well as his medical degree. Early interest in Geriatrics led to a firm foundation in Palliative Medicine, which was fostered during his Internal Medicine residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He completed his fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
He has a great interest in education and making a proper balance between service and education. Dr. Sinclair formerly served as associate medical director and palliative medicine fellowship director at Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care for two years, drawing on his own fellowship experiences and the many national and regional talks he gives on end-of-life issues. He also served as national hospice medical director for Gentiva Health Services and is a graduate of the Harvard Palliative Care in Education and Practice Program and past chair of the Professionals-in-Training Special Interest Group for the AAHPM.
Most recently, Dr. Sinclair was a panel member for the Institute of Medicine Committee on Dying in America, which found that improving the quality and availability of medical and social services for patients and their families could not only enhance quality of life through the end of life, but may also contribute to a more sustainable care system.