homebase is Austin, Texas
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Hello, I wanted to give you an overview about my background, so you will know a little about who is behind this website. I started my private practice in accompanying the dying in 2006 and have worked as a Registered Nurse in end-of-life care environments since 2000. I presently work at a local hospice as a Crisis Care/After Hours RN. Below is some other professional and personal information. |
 Deanna Cochran, RN, BA
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse End-of-life Guide |
- Founder, Quality of Life Care-a web-based palliative care resource center, since 2006
- Director of Education, Lone Star Academy of Allied Health, since Jan 2010
- Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
- Trained Mediator
- Certified Celebrant
- End-of-life midwife and medical guide
- Palliative consultant and advocate for families
- Event Co-Coordinator for the 2008 2nd annual Austin Texas Celebration of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day. The World Event.
- Organizer for the 1st annual 2007 Austin Texas Celebration of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day.NHPCO interview
- Blogger, since 2007
- Workshop facilitator
- BA, University of Texas at Austin, 1990
One of my earliest memories of death was when I was about 6 or 7 years old when someone close to our family died. I heard people talking about it and when I asked to go to the funeral, I was told "no," and a hush fell over the room. Years later, when I was 13 and living in Laredo, Texas, my grandmother said to me one day "c'mon, get your shoes on and come with me." She didn't say where we were going or what we were about to do.
We walked down the rocky, unpaved streets of our neighborhood to her friend's home. She was dying. When we walked into the room, there were other ladies sitting quietly with their veils on, praying. There was a majestic reverence in the room that is hard to describe. I was profoundly affected by this experience and felt so honored that my grandmother included me in this vigil.
Fast forward to 1999. It became clear in my second semester of nursing school that my work would be with those of us who are dying. I was supported and encouraged by my professors to follow my heart. Within 3 months of receiving my RN license in 2000, I was training at a local hospice.
Throughout the last several years I have worked in oncology, long term acute care and skilled nursing facilities as well, but mostly within hospice in various roles. In each setting, what it taught me was there was needless suffering going on and I wanted to be part of changing that.
After the death of my mother, June 15, 2005, I decided to start my private practice as a doula to the dying and to their families. As I went to various places to let people know I was available for this, people had so many questions on how to deal with life-limiting illness in general. My talks began to be about palliative care. One thing led to another and I found myself consulting with families regarding palliative issues and created Quality of Life Care (QLC). QLC is no longer active, though I have left it up as a resource.
Now, I am focusing once again primarily on my doula practice and am excited to help families in this very special way.
Interview with The Austin American Statesman in September 2010. The Article
