Member Profile

Deanna’s groundbreaking end-of-life doula training, Certified CareDoula® is the premier End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program in the US, created in 2010 for laypeople as well as healthcare pros. A founding member and 1st VP of NEDA and inaugural member and 1st Chair of the NHPCO End-of-Life Doula Advisory Council (2.5 years), Deanna has established many of the ‘1sts’ in our end-of-life doula history. Her mission now is to pass on her hard-won experience and knowledge to the new generation of doulas to continue to elevate the role and to continue to serve families at the highest level. Her pioneering work from the early 2000’s in (pre-hospice) palliative care education, 20 years’ experience with her own end-of-life doula private practice, developer of custom Hospice End-of-Life Doula programs and 16 years as a hospice nurse (CHPN) set the stage for her powerful CareDoula® methodology for professional practice. Certified CareDoula® is the only end-of-life doula training taught within a Masters Level Chaplaincy program (RESPECT Graduate School). She continues to serve privately.