Education

1996: Doctor of Ministry, Emmanuel College, Victoria University, Toronto.
Thesis: Reflections on Life and Death in a Technological Society: Experiences of Doctors and Nurses with Dying Patients in Intensive Care. Advisor: Dr. Roger Hutchinson.

This qualitative research study, which met the requirements for the D.Min as well as the criteria set by health care standards, involved interviewing all the staff physicians, training physicians and many of the nurses in the Intensive Care Unit. The published data continues to be relevant and used within the Health care setting. In addition, a quantitative study on the role of chaplains was completed as course work and published in two health care journals.

1989: Field Supervision Course, Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto.
1984: Master of Divinity, Trinity College, University of Toronto, Toronto.
1970: Bachelor of Nursing Science, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.

Certification

1987: Ordained, United Church of Canada.
1987: Specialist in Institutional Ministry, Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education (CAPPE). Training consisted of a residency year in clinical pastoral education at Toronto General Hospital and two units (years) of pastoral counselling training at Toronto Institute of Human Relations.

Awards

• 1983: Hamilton Memorial Prize for Pastoral Theology.
• Maude Hall Coombs Scholarship.
• Archbishop Kingston Memorial Scholarship, Trinity College, University of Toronto.

Professional Experience

At Present:

• Consultant in the Ministry of Spiritual and Pastoral Care, which includes:
• Adjunct faculty teaching theological students at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, teaching courses in the areas of Death, Dying and Grieving, and Prayer.
• Yearly teaching in Parish Nursing Programme for Emmanuel College. In 2005, taught in the newly formed parish nursing programme in New Brunswick.
• Teaching in multi-disciplinary post-diploma programme in Palliative Care at Conestoga College, Guelph, Ontario.
• Yearly cross-cultural retreat/workshop facilitation in Belize.
• Spiritual Director for clergy and others.
• Retreats and workshops in a variety of settings.

2001 – 2006: Minister of Pastoral Care, Rosedale United Church, Toronto.

1999 – 2000: Interim Minister, Metropolitan United Church, Toronto.

1988 – 1997: Director, Chaplaincy Services, The Wellesley Hospital, Toronto.

1987 – 1988: Staff Chaplain, The Wellesley Hospital, Toronto.

1984 – 1987: Minister of Christian Education, Rosedale United Church, & United Church of Canada Chaplain, The Wellesley Hospital, Toronto.

1970 – 1983:  A variety of full and part-time jobs in Nursing including: Palliative care staff nurse, Grace and St. Michael’s Hospitals, Toronto; Coordinator, Peterborough Home Care programme; Staff Educator, Peterborough Civic Hospital; Nursing instructor Scarborough General Hospital; Staff Nurse, Victorian Order of Nurses.

Other Professional Experience

1999 – 2010: Yearly workshops and Retreats in Belize, Central America.
2001 – 2003: Professionalization and Physician self-awareness Programme, McMaster University Medical School, Hamilton, Ontario: Leader/participant in small action/reflection groups for medical students and physician educators.
1997 – 2002: Led annual workshops of one to three days length at The Toronto School of Theology, Continuing Education Programme. Topics included Death, Dying and Grief, Clergy self-care, and Parish-Nurse/Clergy team Ministry.
Numerous presentations and workshops to professional conferences, health care professionals, church groups, clergy, in the following areas: self-care, grief, healing, sexuality, suffering, spirituality and health, team building, pastoral care of the dying, and ethical issues at the end of life.

Professional Associations and Committees

Health Care:
1999 – 2002: Ontario Multi-faith Council on Spiritual and Religious Care.
1987 – 1997: The Wellesley Hospital Ethics Committee.
1994 – 1997: The Wellesley Hospital Research Ethics Committee.
1977 – 1979: Board Member, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.

Spiritual Directors International:

Member.

Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education:

Member.

• 1998 – 2000: CAPPE 2000 planning committee.
• 1995 – 1998: Member Judicial committee.
• 1987 – 1991: Board member and served on numerous committees.

United Church of Canada:

• 2002 to present: Toronto Conference Chaplaincy committee.
• 1996 – 2002: Toronto Conference Interview Board.
• 1992 – 1995: Chair, National End-of-life Task Group.
• 1987 – 1992: Education and Students committee, Toronto South Presbytery.

Continuing Education

• Year long, five part, “Courage to Lead” workshop, based on the work of Parker Palmer, Kirkridge, Pennsylvania, 2007-2008.
• 2001-2002: “Capacitar” Training in “Healing and Transformation: A Programme of Holistic Wellness Practices”, in collaboration with Marian College, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
• 1999 to 2001: Group Facilitation Training, The Canadian Institute of Cultural Affairs,Toronto.
• 1992: Hospice Education Seminar, London and York, U.K.1991: Intensive Bioethics course, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.