Bill Colby
“Bill Colby’s talk changed the lives and actions of our employees.”
That’s what one healthcare executive said after listening to Bill’s keynote sharing the story of Nancy Cruzan and providing new, provocative ways for those in healthcare to think about the brave new world of medical technology.
Bill has been a lawyer for 25 years, and has been involved in the debate about law, medicine, and appropriate healthcare decisions for the seriously ill almost since the beginning. With a healthy mix of humor and profound respect, he has nurses, doctors, community members, even lawyers!, pondering new ways of thinking as they leave his talk, and motivated to take action.
In this section:
- Bill Colby's Bio
- Bill Colby's Media Articles
- Bill Colby's Books
- Speaking Events
- Event Planning Toolkit
More About Bill Colby
- A Conversation with Bill Colby NHPCO NewsLine Interview [PDF]
- Bill Colby in the News: 2006 Media Appearances [PDF]
- USA Today article by Bill Colby
Bill Colby's Bio
Bill Colby, Senior Fellow with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in Washington, D.C., is the lawyer who represented the family of Nancy Cruzan in their family's right-to-die case, the first such case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Bill has been interviewed on Larry King Live, CNN, MSNBC, Hardball, FoxNews, Good Morning America, NPR, Today, CBS This Morning, and similar programs, and speaks across the country on the issues we face at the end of life. His op ed on the Schiavo case appeared in the USA Today on March 6, 2005, and his review of the books that came from the Schiavo case appeared on April 16, 2006, in the Kansas City Star and Philadelphia Inquirer. Bill's new book, Unplugged: Reclaiming Our Right to Die in America (AMACOM 2006) came out June 2006. He is also the author of Long Goodbye: The Deaths of Nancy Cruzan (Hay House, 2003).
Bill Colby’s Books
Praise for Unplugged: Reclaiming Our Right to Die in America
"Although many other books have covered these topics, few possess Colby's engaging style and judicious insights. . . Colby writes elegantly about end-of-life issues." Publishers Weekly
"Clearly written, engrossing, and understandable by all, yet at the same time well researched and replete with scholarly references--no mean feat . . . Unplugged is a necessary book. . . .warmly recommended." Journal of the American Medical Association
"Many books have been written about right-to-die issues but this one stands out for its reasoned, accessible approach. . . .Very highly recommended." Library Journal
"Unplugged's story-telling captures one's attention while its scope and clarity command thoughtful concern . . . It should be read by everyone at risk for dying." David Milch, Emmy-award winning writer, producer and director, NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues, Deadwood
"A timely, comprehensive book. . .in a surprisingly personal narrative voice." Lancet
"Colby writes with the eye and style of an investigative journalist and keeps the reader spellbound." Journal of Neurocritical Care
"The entire book is sprinkled with specific examples of individuals and cases that make the writing and delivery of information sparkling and vibrant, and deceptively easy reading for a complex and difficult topic. . .An important book." American Psychological Ass'n Review of Books
Praise for Long Goodbye: The Deaths of Nancy Cruzan
"Truly riveting." Booklist
"A moving, thought provoking account. Touchingly human." St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"A medical and legal saga with such profound significance to society deserves a sensitive and gifted narrator. Colby is clearly such a writer. A real page-turner." Tulsa World
"Long Goodbye is distinguished by the author's attention to detail and clear writing style." Library Journal
"Long Goodbye breathes life into the right-to-die case . . .that captured the attention of a nation." The Kansas City Star
Speaking Events
Sample of past talks:
- National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization – Washington
- American Dietetic Association – Anaheim
- American Society on Aging – San Francisco
- Religion Newswriters Association – Salt Lake City
- Via Christi Cardiovascular Symposium – Wichita
- University of Alaska Fall Lecture Series – Juneau
- Southern Illinois University School of Law
- Kansas Hospital Association
- American Bar Association – Chicago, Honolulu
- American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutritionists – San Francisco
- Licking Memorial Health Systems – Ohio
- Missouri Association of Speech, Language Pathologists
- Sioux Valley Medical Center – South Dakota
- UJA Federation – New York
- University of Tulsa School of Law
- University of Washington Forum on Ethics and Policy
- EMS Region 3 Conference – New Mexico
- WellStar Health System – Atlanta
- Florida Bar Association – Orlando
- Duke Divinity School – North Carolina
- Arizona Fiduciaries Association
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center – Houston
- National Association of Elder Law Attorneys – Miami
- Iowa Dietetic Association
- National College of Probate Judges – Colorado Springs
- Hospital Grand Rounds, state hospice and medical meetings, and many more!
What attendees say:
“The best lecture I’ve heard in many years.” University of Washington Professor of Medicine
“Spellbinding, could have listened all day.” Ohio hospice worker
“Upbeat talk, with an incredible grasp of the moral and ethical issues involved, thank you!” Hawaii nurse
“Your talk set the perfect tone for our conference.” Chicago lawyer
“The feedback on the evening was tremendous. I was at a meeting in the hospital this morning and people could not stop talking about it!” South Carolina social worker
“The best speaker I have ever heard.” Missouri bar leader (Bill called him after this comment and told him that he needed to get out more. . .)
“I was riveted by your book and even more so to hear you speak.” New York lawyer
“It was a magical evening. One of our managers told me that your quiet eloquence truly changed her life.” Arizona doctor
“You clearly demonstrate the power of one person to make a difference.” Iowa doctor
Download a state-specific living will or healthcare power of attorney
Free resources on a wide range of
end-of-life topics.
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