Donna Edwards Neumark, PhD, RN
My Journey
My personal experiences, my career path, and my educational background have led me to this calling. Through over three decades of clinical experience in traditional care settings and many years spent supporting my community members through death and grieving, I have realized the value and comfort I can provide to people facing the end of life.
I am, first and foremost, a nurse: an RN with a Master’s degree in Oncology Nursing, with advanced clinical knowledge of pain and symptom management. After working as a nurse for several years, I was drawn to the importance of family systems and intergenerational caregiving in providing quality care, and earned my doctorate in Family and Child Ecology. I have worked as a Geriatric Care Manager, helping people navigate the consequences and care of aging family members. These educational and professional experiences have given me a rich perspective into how person-centered wishes, family structure and legacy, and compassionate care help facilitate a meaningful life and death.
In my personal life and community, I have cared for those living with life-threatening illness, observed bravery and tenacity in friends, family members, and those who are nearing end-of-life, learned about fears and suffering, and witnessed the impact of death on family and caregivers. I also volunteer in my Jewish community as part of a “shiva” team, providing logistical and ritual support to grieving families.
On my own journey through life, I have been a caregiver, a mourner, and a griever and have created ritual to bring people together for reflection and healing. My next step on this path is to guide others on their own end-of-life journeys.
My Guiding Principles
Support people where they are and for who they are
Focus on quality of living and dying
Maintain a realistic perspective
Identify person-centered goals for caregiving and meaningful passage
Respect other’s beliefs, values, culture, and life experiences
Listen attentively and open-heartedly
Seek collaboration and share knowledge
Recognize death as part of living
Encourage self-care through humor, dancing, music, and joy
Honor life and the mystery of death
Education and Training
International End of Life Doula Association doula training course completion
ELNEC (End-of-Life Nursing Education Curriculum)
American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying End-of-life Doula Training
Masters of Nursing in Oncology Nursing, University of Pennsylvania
PhD in Human Ecology, Michigan State University