Suzanne B. O'Brien is a Wellness and Oncology nurse, as well as an international speaker and best selling author. She has worked most of her nursing career in hospice and oncology care. Suzanne was immediately struck by this intense area of healthcare and the many gaps in education and support for both the patient and the loved ones. In 2008 Suzanne began offering free community educational seminars at her local library. These workshops taught families how to care for their loved ones at the end of life. This is ultimately the concept of hospice care (The nurse manages the care of the dying patient and teaches the family how to do the care). At the present time, this concept is far from successful. This is due to the overwhelming cultural fear of death (death is the 2nd leading fear in the US) and how late in the dying process that people actually go on hospice services. It was due to seeing this break in the system and the compounded amount of suffering it caused that fueled Suzanne's passion to help teach families the life-changing skill of how to care for their loved ones before they were in the stressful situation of caring for a dying loved one. This training and concept proved so successful that Suzanne traveled to communities offering the free trainings and gave them on live webinars so that people around the world could attend.

In 2012, Suzanne went on a self-paid volunteer hospice trip to Zimbabwe, Africa. This trip changed her life. The people of Zimbabwe are so lovely and did not have much in terms of material things or healthcare. The average age of life for a female is 42 years old. It was on this trip that Suzanne saw people being trained to "sit" with the person who was dying and "guide" them through the end of life journey. Without the luxury of medications and equipment, this concept was so effective. This reminded Suzanne of the birthing "doula" concept and when she came back to the US, The Doulagivers End of Life Doula Training was born.

Today, Suzanne B. O'Brien, RN is the proud Founder and Creator of the award-winning program Doulagivers: End of Life Doula Training, Eldercare Doula Training, and Doulagiver Care Consultant Training. "Awarded Worldwide Leader In Healthcare" by the International Nurses Association for creating Doulagivers, she is also an end of life educator, consultant and author of the #1 International Bestselling book Creating Positive Passings & End of Life Doula Level 1 Caregiver Training (2015) — a guide to learning the invaluable skills of how to care for someone at the end of life.

Suzanne is a founding member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) End of Life Doula Council. NHPCO, the leading hospice and palliative care membership organization in the U.S., has formed this Council to provide information and resources to its members, affiliated organizations, and the public regarding the role of end-of-life doulas. Suzanne is also a founding member of the National End of Life Doula Alliance (NEDA), which is a 501c6 Nonprofit Business League for EOLDs.

Suzanne has always had a strong belief in charity and giving back. In high school at St. Jean Baptiste NYC, Suzanne started The Hunger Club. In 1987 she volunteered for Northern Lights in NYC, an organization that worked with infants afflicted by HIV and AIDS. In 1997, Suzanne Volunteered with The Astor Home for Children in Rhinebeck, NY. Mentoring a six-year-old girl (Suzanne to this day has a close, loving bond with her) and in 2010, she volunteered with Big Brothers, Big Sisters in the Hudson Valley. Suzanne believes that a little goes a long way and for those of us that are in positions where we can give back- it is so important to do so.

The International Doulagivers Foundation was founded on October 4th, 2017. The INDGF is a global non-profit platform that will raise awareness, education, support, and programs to benefit the elders and end of life patients in need around the world. Doulagivers has always donated these vital things to communities, but now will be able to do so on a much larger scale.

Today, Suzanne has combined her years of training, education, and experience to create The Doulagivers® Institute for Higher Learning featuring the Doulagivers® Life Class and Wellness Membership. This membership was created to support people everywhere with the tools, education and mentorship they need to live their best, fullest, and healthiest life possible.

INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION / CREDENTIALS/ AWARDS: A HOLISTIC APPROACH

Suzanne's training in spiritual, alternative and medical healing has led her to her current role as Hospice nurse and advocate.

• Awarded "Worldwide Leader In Healthcare" by the International Nurses Association for creating DOULAGIVERS
• Awarded "Promoting Hospice Care Globally" by Hospice Inc. Poughkeepsie, NY
• Registered Nurse: Dutchess County Community College, Poughkeepsie, NY
• Acute Oncology Nurse: Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, NY
• Hospice Nurse and Advocate, Hospice Inc.: Dutchess & Ulster Counties, NY
• Degree in Transpersonal Counseling and Spiritual Ministry: University for Integrative Learning at the Association for the Integration of the Whole Person (AIWP) in Los Alamitos, CA
• Certified Reiki Practitioner: Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY
• Awarded" Worldwide Leader in Healthcare" By The International Nurses association
• Awarded "2020 O Mag Insider Humanitarian.”