Mary Porter, RN, BSN
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I am a licensed nurse in the state of New York and hold a Bachelor of Science
degree in Nursing from Georgetown University. My experience in the cardiac intensive unit of
Georgetown University Hospital, as a student, is where I first recognized my ability to support
those challenged with fear of dying. My lifelong path of mindfulness and meditation studies,
personal work with Somatic Movement and Psychophysical Therapy, as well as my extensive
training in Holistic Nutrition, Healing Hands Therapy and Death and Dying serve to create a
unique perspective of the field.
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With over 30 years of experience in both the medical and holistic healthcare systems, my
background includes work in hospitals, home care and hospice settings, as well as the
HIV/AIDS division of Tibotec Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, Inc. Also in my private
practice as an Holistic Health Coach, I counsel clients to embrace mindfulness
through meditation and support a variety of preventive health, well being and recovery
modalities.
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My Story
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My favorite Grandmother's death from colon cancer when I was 7 years old, was the first of many unexpected losses through out my early life that allowed me to see death and grief as part of living. The death of my brother Patrick, from AIDS at the age of 26, in 1986 was a huge loss for me and became a transitional experience in my life.
Because of the nature of his suffering and the difficulties our family went through as he was dying, I left the corporate world and was inspired to work in one of the first AIDS units in the country, St Vincent’s Hospital in New York City. There I developed the skills to be present to the suffering of those who were dying so young as well as the suffering of their families who often had difficulties making sense of what was happening. I then went into Home Care, where I was able to continue nursing and provide a more personal touch to the HIV/AIDS and Cancer patients who preferred to die at home. Through all these experiences I strengthened my abilities to act from my heart and help others to see dying as a transition and at the same time a part of life.
© 2017 Mary Porter All Rights Reserved