Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul

by Jack Canfield

  Cherie Clark, was evacuated twice with orphans during the final days of the Vietnam War. Cherie then went to Calcutta where she met and worked with Mother Teresa. She founded the International Mission of Hope, a charitable organization. Cherie resided in India for twelve years and returned to live and work in Vietnam in 1988. She is the author of the book After Sorrow Comes Joy. Contact her at CherieIMH@aol.com.

  Virginia L. Clark, R.N., C.C.R.N., is a poet and writer who retired from her twenty-year nursing career in 1987. She now lives in Taos, New Mexico, and writes columns, news stories and features for local publications. Her poetry manuscript A Child’s Book of Shadows should be available fall 2001. Please contact her at vlclark4@juno.com.

  Dolores Curran is a parent educator and writer who has lectured extensively on family topics, both nationally and abroad. Her books include Traits of a Healthy Family, Stress and the Healthy Family, Working with Parents and Tired of Arguing with Your Kids? She resides in Littleton, Colorado.

  Ken Cyr, R.N., Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist. Besides poetry, he has written books on weather and behavior; attention deficit for teachers, parents and children, and investigating sexual abuse. Signed copies of Love in Your Hands are available. Contact Ken at Kcyrphd@yahoo.com or fax him at 210-690-0611.

  Kathleen Dahle commenced her nursing training at N.D.S.U. in Fargo, North Dakota and received her B.S.N. from Moorhead State University in 1984. Since 1988, she has worked as a legal nurse consultant. Kathleen resides in Fort Worth with her husband and four very busy children. Please contact her at kdahlek@aol.com.

  Johnnie Dowdy is the mother of one son, and grandmother to two boys. She is an R.N. supervisor and has been in nursing for thirty-two years working trauma and OB.

  Elaine Gray Dumler, a corporate presentation skill trainer, spent a lot of time with nurses and discovered their true healing power. Within eighteen months of Rondi’s battle for life, she lost her other sister, Nancy, to cancer. Elaine, husband Larry and son Bryan live at 6460 W. 98th Ct., Westminster, CO 80021 or call 303-430-0592.

  Christine Ehlers, B.S.N., received her B.S.N. with an H.A.S. minor from the University of Central Florida in May 2001. She hopes to pursue a career in emergency nursing. Christine enjoys fishing, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She is a member of Alpha Delta Phi Sorority. You may e-mail her at Cehlers12@aol.com.

  Benita Epstein has cartoons that appear in hundreds of publications such as The New Yorker, Reader’s Digest and Better Homes & Gardens. She has three cartoon collections: Suture Self, Interlibrary Loan Sharks and Seedy Roms, and Science of Little Round Things (McFarland & Co. 1-800-253-2187). Contact Benita at BenitaE@aol.com or visit her Web site at www.reuben.org/benitaepstein/.

  Joan Filbin received a degree in nursing in 1980. She works in a newborn intensive care nursery in North Central Wisconsin. As a teacher/speaker for women’s groups, she has been frequently asked if she has written any of her stories. She has recently returned to school to pursue a long-overdue dream to write. Please reach her at filbin@stjosephs-marshfied.org.

  Naomi Follis graduated from Purdue University Calumet Campus School of Nursing, and has a diploma from Long Ridge Writers Group. She resides in Oklahoma City where she pursues her study of Native American history and art, and writes poetry and short stories.

  Janie K. Ford graduated from Brigham Young University in 1978 and has been a flight nurse in Southern California for seventeen years. Her hobbies include American history, horses, sports, travel and partying with her family. She is a motivational speaker for youth and adults. She can be reached at 714-528-0268 or janiekford@yahoo.com.

  Gwen Fosse, R.N., has worked with children with heart disease, witnessing many advances in their care for nearly forty years. She thanks her husband, three daughters and parents for allowing her to pursue her “heart” life. She also thanks the colleagues, children and families who have been her teachers. E-mail her at fusses@aol.com.

  Carolyn Gavalas is laboratory manager at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton, Iowa. She enjoys her four dogs, traveling, reading, needlework, stamping, genealogy, attending concerts, bingo, collecting bears and her backyard pond, gazebo and garden. She and her late husband, Jim, have a daughter, Stephanie.

  Nancy B. Gibbs is a weekly religion columnist and freelance writer. Her writing has appeared in books by Honor Books and Guideposts Books. She has been published in numerous magazines and devotional guides. She is a pastor’s wife and mother of three grown children. Nancy may be contacted at DAISEYDOOD@aol.com.

  Susan M. Goldberg, R.N., has worked as an OR nurse for the past thirty years. She completed her B.S. degree in organizational management twenty-seven years after graduating nursing school. Susan is the surgical services instructor at a Westchester, New York, hospital, and teaches college nursing courses and self-esteem workshops. You may contact Susan at Harmony51480@aol.com.

  Viola Ruelke Gommer, R.N., M.S.N., is a retired nurse educator and nurse executive. As a board member of United Methodist Fellowship of Health Care Volunteers, she now shares her knowledge, skills and faith within the United States and in other countries—Haiti, Bolivia, Guyana, Zimbabwe and the Dominican Republic. She is a dynamic speaker and inspiring teacher. Vi also offers guidance and training for persons interested in becoming volunteers in mission. She is proponent of Comprehensive Community-based Primary Health Care. CCPHC empowers individuals and communities to become responsible for their own health promotion and illness prevention. It moves persons from hopelessness to hope. You can reach Vi at P.O. Box 313, Sweet Valley, PA 18656. You may e-mail her at vgommer@aol.com or call 570-477-5841.

  Lini R. Grol is a retired registered nurse, trained in her homeland in The Netherlands, before coming to Canada. She has published, internationally, poetry, fiction and folktales with scissors-cut illustrations in periodicals, anthologies and books. Her latest books are A Matter of the Heart, 1998 and Lake to Lake, Lini Grol’s NIAGRA, 2001. Her poems are broadcast and are on cassette and CD. She has won prizes for her stories and scissors-cut illustrations. Her WWII poems are read at Remembrance Day services.

  Jacqueline C. Hadeland, forty-four, has been a registered nurse for seven years. She works for Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. She resides in Wellington, Florida, with her husband and fourteen-year-old daughter.

  Don Haines, R.N., retired from nursing in 1998. He started writing in 1996, thereby fulfilling a lifelong dream. He lives quietly in Carroll County, Maryland, with his wife, Sheila, and their Yorkie, Minnie. The quiet is shattered when their nine grandchildren come to call. They are a welcome diversion.

  Nancy Harless is a nurse practitioner now exercising her menopausal zest through travel, volunteering in various health-care projects and writing about these experiences. Most of her writing is done in a towering maple tree in the tree house built specifically for that purpose by her husband, Norm. She is currently writing a book about the strong and beautiful women she has met on her journeys. Please reach her at datnurse@interl.net.

  Laura Vickery Hart is a registered nurse, international board-certified lactation consultant and childbirth educator in Central Florida. She graduated from Johnston-Willis Hospital School of Nursing in Richmond, Virginia, in 1968 and received her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Florida Southern College in 1997. Laura enjoys reading and spending time with her children and grandchildren. You may e-mail Laura at ldybg522@aol.com.

  Catherine Hoe Harwood works with a dynamic faculty group teaching nursing at Trinity Western University, a private Christian university in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. She previously taught nursing at University of Western Ontario. Catherine is blessed with two children and a wonderful extended family. She may be reached at harwood@twu.ca.

  Mary Jane Holman, R.N., works in the intensive care unit at Doctor’s Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. You may reach her at mjnick@bellsouth.net.

  Beverly Houseman, R.N., is a retired nurse. She was a childbirth educator for
twenty-eight years and is married with two sons and two grandchildren. Beverly enjoys writing, crafting, singing and traveling. She is writing her own book about life with her mentally handicapped son, Rusty. You may contact her at happyhousemans@mindspring.com. Beverly also counsels people with pre-or post-abortion syndrome.

  Sarah Webb Johnson graduated from Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis in 1979. She spent seven years working in the intensive care unit at Baptist Hospital. Sarah then pursued a career in public health and school health where she has met her greatest nursing challenges. You may reach her at wtsbrcj@aol.com.

  Marie D. Jones is an ordained New Thought Minister working toward her doctor of divinity. She is a widely published writer and producer of a line of children’s videos called Gigglebug Farms. She lives in San Marcos, California, with her husband, Ron and baby, Max. You can reach her at mariejones@mac.com.

  Kathryn Kimzey Judkins, L.V.N., has lived in California since 1962. In 1965, she became an L.V.N. Since retiring in 1998, she spends much of her time writing poetry and short stories. Married fifty-four years, she has three children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

  Bil Keane created The Family Circus, based on his own family, in 1960. It now appears in well over fifteen hundred newspapers and is read daily by 188 million people. The award-winning feature is the most widely syndicated cartoon in America. Check out The Family Circus Web site at www.familycircus.com.

  Carin Klabbers likes to write inspirational stories (she is published in Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul). She combines her household duties with volunteer work and writes monthly articles for the local newspaper about fair trade. You may reach her at koninginneweg 75, 2g82 AH Ridderkerk, The Netherlands. Her e-mail address is pmklabbers@HETNET.NL.

  Allen Klein (aka Mr. Jollytologist) is a professional speaker and bestselling author. His award-winning programs show audiences how to use humor to deal with not-so-funny stuff. His books include The Healing Power of Humor and The Courage to Laugh. You may contact him for information at www.allenklein.com or e-mail him at humor@allenklein.com.

  Rita Kluny, R.N., B.S.N., C.H.T.P., C.H.T.I., H.N.C., is a Healing Touch (energy healing) instructor. She founded the Healing Touch for Babies program, and teaches workshops and consults internationally. She practices Healing Touch seasonally at Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, and was named the 1994 American Holistic Nurse of the Year. Her Web site is www.healingtouchforbabies.com. E-mail her at healingbabies@yahoo.com.

  Elsie Schmied Knoke, R.N., received a bachelor of general studies with honors from Roosevelt University and a master’s in management from Northwestern University. She wrote articles and two anthologies for nurse managers. Now retired, she writes essays and short stories. Her novel Apple Blossom Time is on www.enovel.com.

  Dawn Koehn is an OB nurse/sonographer in Enid, Oklahoma. She and her husband, Ron, have three sons. Dawn enjoys reading, gardening, travel and spending time with family and friends. She plans to continue her nursing education at Oklahoma University. You may reach her at ronniedawn@aol.com.

  Laura Hayes Lagana is a registered nurse, professional speaker, author of a forthcoming inspirational book about caregivers, patients, nurses and is one of the coauthors of Chicken Soup for the Volunteer’s Soul. She may be reached at Success Solutions, P.O. Box 7816, Wilmington, DE 19803 or by e-mail at NurseAngel@LauraLagana.com. You may visit her Web site at www.LauraLagana.com.

  Debbie Lukasiewicz is the blessed mother of seven children and wife to one terrific man. Baby Ty is a happy, healthy five-year-old. Debbie and Del give thanks daily for all their miracle babies.

  Christy M. Martin is a nurse in a small town with a big heart—Chillicothe, Texas. She loves the outdoors and spending time with her two children. She dreams of some day hanging up her nurse’s cap and becoming a full-time writer.

  Maxine, America’s Queen of Attitude, has graced Hallmark products since 1986. When Maxine speaks her mind, more often than not she’s speaking our minds, too. With her own nationally syndicated cartoon, Maxine always tells it like it is—and her fans wouldn’t want it any other way.

  Shirley McCullough’s insights come largely from her experiences as a registered nurse, home health agency administrator and community health educator. Please reach her at smac@ktvd.net.

  Donna McDonnall, R.N., graduated from Immanuel Medical Center, Omaha. Donna recently retired after working eighteen years as a public health/school nurse. She was named Colorado School Nurse of the Year in 1999 and received the Nightingale Award in 1991. She enjoys writing, traveling, photography and her family. You may contact her at mcdonnal@ria.net.

  Linda McNeil was a physical therapist in her first life. She is now an author, professional speaker and consultant specializing in change, customer service and team building. “Lin” is the author of 7 Keys to Changing: Your Life, Health and Wealth. You may reach her at 1-800-745-3488 or at linmcneil@aol.com. Visit her Web site at www.linmcneil.com.

  Roberta L. Messner, R.N., Ph.D., is widely published in the nursing and lay literature. She speaks on a variety of nursing and inspirational topics, including the popular Stories That Shape Nurses, a presentation that encourages nurses to believe in the power of their own stories. She can be reached at rlmessner@aol.com.

  Joyce Mueller, R.N., is a retired nurse, mom, grandmom and world traveler. She has lived and worked in Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Solomon Islands. She enjoys her life on the Oregon coast, where she writes fiction, poems and memoirs. Please contact her at P.O. Box 718, Port Orford, OR 97465.

  Terri Murcia, born November 26, 1963, received her B.A. degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1985. She has been happily married for twelve years and has a three-month-old son. She walked in the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day in October 2001 in memory of her mother and grandmother. Please e-mail her at murcia@earthlink.net.

  Janis Nark, Lt. Col., U.S.A.R. (Ret.), served for twenty-six years in the Army Nurse Corps with assignments that included Vietnam and Desert Storm. She is a highly sought-after motivational speaker addressing the areas of change and stress, who touches the heart, tear ducts and funny bones of all who hear her. She is published in four books and has three presentations on tape, including “Finding Control in the Chaos” and “Tools for Transformation: Change Does Not Equal Stress.” You may contact her at www.Nark.com or JanisNark@aol.com. Her phone number is 828-652-2155 and fax is 828-652-4547.

  Marianne Neifert, M.D., is commonly known as “Dr. Mom,” is a pediatrician, author of parenting books, national speaker and the mother of five grown children— all born during her medical training. She is a contributing editor for Parenting Magazine and writes a bimonthly medical column for BabyTalk Magazine. She can be contacted for speaking engagements on parenting issues and life balance at Dr. Mom Presentations, P.O. Box 880, Parker, CO 80134 or DrNiefert@aol.com. Visit her Web site at www.Dr-Mom.com.

  Chris S. Patterson is a “man of many hats.” An accomplished chef, his career was cut short by lung cancer, directing him to pursue his loves of drawing and writing. As a survivor, he has established himself as a published freelance cartoonist, illustrator, and published writer of humor and poetry. Please contact him at Cartoonsbychris@aol.com.

  Susan Pearson, R.N., received her degree from Quincy College in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She is the mother of six sons, and works in long-term care with many wonderful “roses.” Susan enjoys writing, gardening and working on her student nurse Web site, the Snurse’s Bookmark. Visit her at www.tripod.com/susanp/index.html.

  J. C. Pinkerton graduated Stonewall Jackson Nursing School and attended Southern Sem College in Virginia. After a career in nursing, she now enjoys freelance writing. She is constantly researching ancient history, America in the 1800s and children’s stories. For more information on J. C. Pinkerton, contact her at www.angelfire.com/journal/writersdream or e-mail her at pinkerton@rockbridge.net.

  Corrine Pratz is a freelance writer with a passion for creating works that make an impact. S
he has had stories and articles published in magazines, newspapers and online. She is the author of Color Me Happy!! An Approach to Expressive Arts for Children and has conducted workshops and seminars relating to various art forms. Her second book Losing Dad will be completed in 2001. She lives on beautiful Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, with her four great kids and wonderful husband. She can be reached at Box 1573, Lake Cowichan, BC, Canada V0R 2G0 or through pratzpro@home.com.

  Rhona Knox Prescott, R.N., L.C.S.W., is a nurse, clinical diplomate in social work and author. She coauthored Another Kind of War Story: Army Nurses Look Back to Vietnam in 1993 and has had many poems and short articles published that deal with the combat experience from a nurse’s perspective. She graduated from the University of Houston. Her stepmother and daughter have also served with the U.S. Army providing three generations of female military service. Her clinical specialty is trauma counseling. Maureen W. Southorn, her daughter, is also published. Her son, Mike Prescott, works for Executive Books. Marianne Austin, her daughter, is a chemist. You may reach Rhona at Rhona41@hotmail.com.

  Maryjo Relampagos Pulmano is an R.N. working for Kaiser Permanente in southern California. She thanks her parents for raising her to become a writer, singer and nurse. She thanks her husband, Rayne, son Nathaniel and the Pulmano family for teaching her the true meaning of family. You may reach Maryjo at mpulmano@lycos.com.

  Zaphra Reskakis, M.S., R.Ph., has a B.S. in pharmacy from Columbia University and an M.S. in clinical pharmacy from St. John’s University. She has been published in Clever, Reminisce, Hellenic Chronicle, Lose Your Identity and What’s Cooking. Zaphra is a storyteller, enjoys theater, traveling and being the yiayia (Greek for grandma) of Amanda, Brendan, Cory, Nicholas and Michael. You may e-mail her at yiayiazaph@aol.com.