Katherine (Kat) Ast is director of quality and research for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). She also co-leads AMC’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Advisory Group. As DEIB co-lead, she strives to ensure that all staff at AMC feel seen, heard, and respected and know that their individual experiences and expertise matter. One of the things she enjoys about her work at AMC is the opportunity to bring diverse groups of people together to discuss the best way to measure good medical care, as she had the opportunity to do for AAHPM by leading their Technical Expert Clinical User Patient Panel. Kat has a master’s in social work and is currently working towards her PhD.  Outside of AMC, you’ll find her playing beach volleyball, walking in nature, and escaping into a good novel.