Board of Directors

Sue Dessayer Porter, MBA, MSB

Board Chair, Founding Director

Sue D. Porter, Founding Director, has a Masters of Science in Bioethics and a Masters in Business Administration. She completed a diploma at the Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics and was a visiting scholar in residence at the Hastings Center in New York. Sue has also served as director on both the National and the Oregon boards for Compassion and Choices.

Since 2001, Sue has worked with terminally ill people availing themselves of Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act. She is also a  Volunteer Client Advisor for Washington. Sue has spoken nationally on the right-to- die and was a participant in How to Die in Oregon, the documentary that won Sundance.

Pete Reagan, M.D.

Vice-Chair

Pete Reagan practiced family medicine for over 30 years in Portland. He also taught medical students and residents and was active on medical staff committees at Providence and Adventist Medical Centers. Pete was vocal in support of medical aid in dying in Oregon and wrote the first legal prescription under Oregon’s Death With Dignity act. Since retiring, Pete served as medical director for Compassion and Choices for two years. Additionally, he has volunteered for the Trauma Intervention Program and also for Trailkeepers of Oregon.

Richard B. Solomon, CPA

Treasurer

A Certified Public Accountant since 1976, Dick has had his own practice since 1981.  His community involvements include service on the Oregon Investment Council, the Oregon State Bar Board of Governors and the Oregon Lottery Commission.  He has served on numerous boards including as board president of Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette and the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.  He currently serves as a trustee of the Portland State University Foundation and sits on the investment committee of the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Amanda Heather, LCSW

Secretary

Amanda Heather has worked in the medical field for sixteen years, with the last eight years as a hospice and palliative care social worker. She has a masters degree in social work from Portland State University. She earned her license in clinical social work in 2013 and is a certified advanced hospice palliative care social worker. Amanda has a strong passion for education and advocacy relating to advance care planning. She helps people living with serious illness to identify their goals while exploring their treatment options.

Nick Gideonse, MD 

Director

Dr. Nick Gideonse is Associate Professor of Family Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University where he practices broad-spectrum primary care. He has served as medical director for a large community health center, a skilled nursing facility, and hospice. Dr. Gideonse is deeply involved in medical student and resident education, including end of life choices, as he works regularly with terminally ill patients and EOLCOR volunteers. He has testified nationally and internationally in support of end of life choices.

Linda Howery

Director

Linda Howrey has worked in community pharmacy for over 35 years and is dual licensed in Oregon and Washington. Throughout her career, she has had many leadership roles, including as a Regional Pharmacy manager, Preceptor for Pharmacy students, and Adjunct Faculty, teaching law and ethics for the Chemeketa Community College Pharmacy Technician program. Linda was appointed by the Governor for two consecutive terms on the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, serving as chair twice, and was awarded the Bowl of Hygeia Award in 2021.

Kyla Postrel, MBA

Director

Kyla Postrel has built her career in nonprofit work, starting in development and spending the past seven years in healthcare communications. With a special focus on promoting health equity for all Oregonians, Kyla currently serves as the internal manager of communications for Legacy Health. Previously, she filled the role of internal communications lead at Salem Health where she also volunteered as the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Learning Council chair. She is active in the community as a member of the Oregon Symphony in Salem Advisory Committee and the board of directors for Eagle Charter School in Salem.