Jess is an internal medicine physician and public health advocate dedicated to patient-centered healthcare at the end-of-life.  Working for many years doing acute care in the hospital setting, she had many opportunities to discuss the "big issues" with patients, such as what is most important to them, what are their values and how to try to coordinate care that best aligns with those values, and  navigating a broad range of end-of-life journeys with patients and their loved ones. Self-determination and autonomy are frequently mentioned values for all patients, especially those with terminal conditions. To help support her local community's need for physicians willing to participate in a medical aid in dying (MAID) request, she began volunteering to do this work in 2018, both in WA and OR. 

As Medical Director for the nonprofit organization End of Life Washington (EOLWA), Dr. Kaan brings a nuanced approach to end-of-life care issues, including MAID. Her work with EOLWA has focused on expanding access to MAID, educating providers and other healthcare clinicians about the Washington Death with Dignity Act, and how to best provide this care. She and her team have been tirelessly working to support patients who wish to have the option of MAID, and to broaden support across the healthcare continuum, to strengthen protections of vulnerable populations who wish for this option, and to provide information to all Washingtonians about a broad range of end-of-life issues. Dr. Kaan is also on the editorial board of the Journal of Medical Aid in Dying, as well as an expert clinician who takes call for the American Clinician's Academy of Medical Aid in Dying's Clinician's Hotline for all clinical issues related to MAID. 

Outside of her work, Jess enjoys exploring the many natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest and broadening her perspective via international travel and reading broadly. She is an animal lover and hopes to one day have a small farm so she can fill it will a diverse crew of creatures.