End of an Era! EAPC CEO Dr Julie Ling moves on after nearly a decade of remarkable leadership

A message from EAPC President, Jeroen Hasselaar:

Julie Ling has announced that she is resigning as CEO of the EAPC. As a board, we were and are so appreciative of the work that Julie has done for our Association. In nearly 10 years we have grown from a small head office, into a broad and internationally oriented European organisation, that is a key player in palliative care worldwide. With vibrant congresses, stakeholder engagement, and involvement in many European projects. For those who would like to say goodbye in person, Julie is planning to join our congress at Helsinki in 2025. Her EAPC email address will stay operational until the end of September if you would like to leave a personal message. Meanwhile, dare I say it, the board has had a few meetings to decide upon a new CEO profile and to start the job advertisement procedure, which will be published via our website and social channels. Julie will still be in office until the beginning of September 2024. After that, Joanne Brennan and Cathy Payne will be in charge to oversee the office as deputy managers in close co-operation with the board.

Julie writes:

It is with really mixed emotions that, after nearly ten years, I am announcing my departure as CEO of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC). It took something very special for me to make this decision. I have been given the amazing opportunity to take on a new and very exciting role as Technical Officer for Palliative Care at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office in Copenhagen. While I am saddened to leave the EAPC, I am deeply honoured to join the WHO and look forward to the incredible opportunities that lie ahead to help strengthen palliative care in the WHO European Region.

During my tenure at the EAPC, I have been privileged to work with some amazing people who have made my work a pleasure, EAPC board members who have worked to ensure the success of the EAPC, and my international friends and colleagues.  A special thank you to my fantastic, hard-working head office team colleagues (Cathy, Joanne, Christine, Catherine, Carla, Patricia, Fodhla, Guillermo and Anna) who have been amazing to work with and who I will really miss.  All have made working for the EAPC a real pleasure.

I am very proud of what we have achieved at the EAPC during my tenure. In 2023, securing an EU-funded operational grant was a highlight for the head office team and testament to the hard work undertaken to ensure high standards of organisational governance and our compliance with all legislation and best practice including developing a full suite of organisational policies.  As I leave I know that the EAPC it is a resilient and sustainable organisation and is in a good place with strong governance and financial security.

While my departure from the EAPC marks the end of one chapter, it also signifies the beginning of a new, exciting, and promising journey. I will always be a strong supporter of the EAPC and thank you once again for your support and understanding as I embark on this exciting new venture. I hope that I will have the opportunity to meet and work with many of you again.

EAPC are recruiting to the CEO post. More information can be found here.