Keynote Speaker

Jennifer A. O’Brien helps people start conversations about caregiving and end of life.

In her more than 35 years in health care, Jennifer A. O’Brien has been a practice management consultant to physicians and served in several interim leadership roles including in three academic medical centers and as CEO for two large, private, medical practices.

Jennifer lost her only sibling, David, when he was 13 and she was 18. She has been caregiver to her mother who died of pancreatic cancer, her husband who died of kidney cancer, and her father who died of congestive heart failure and lung disease. While caring for her husband, Bob Lehmberg, MD, a hospice and palliative care physician, and for some time following his death, Jennifer created an art journal that was published as a book, The Hospice Doctor’s Widow.

Working in the caregiving and end-of-life space following the publication of her art journal, Jennifer realized the profound similarities between leadership and family caregiving concluding that family caregiver is indeed a leadership position. In her second book, Care Boss: Leadership Strategies and Resources for Family Caregivers, Jennifer packages all her leadership experience and acumen along with her healthcare operational insights into a quick, easy read that empowers family caregivers.

Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a Master of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) from Loyola University in Chicago. She has authored 55+ articles in professional publications and peer-reviewed journals. Her first book, The Hospice Doctor's Widow, won a Nautilus silver award in the Death & Dying/Grief & Loss category, a Next Gen Indie Book gold for Relationships, an Independent Publishers (IPPY) bronze for Gift, and an International Impact gold for the interior design of the book. Her essay, “A Father, A Daughter and an End-of-Life Decision,” published by Everyday Health, won a silver digital health award. Jennifer was a keynote speaker at the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization Leadership Conference.

Now, as the sole surviving member of her immediate family, a solo ager, and advocate for family caregivers and end-of-life planning, Jennifer shares her real life and real death experience, wisdom, and stories to help others.