Don Gordon, BS, MDiv, DMin
Don is the founder and CEO of Christians Caring for Creation, Inc. and currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Religion at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Prior to that he served for 35 years in pastoral ministry in Virginia and North Carolina. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary (PCUSA), a M.Div. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.S. in Mathematics from Campbell University. Don has authored several books in the fields of church history, spiritual formation and children’s religious education. He has served on the Board of Trustees for Campbell University in North Carolina and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Good Faith Media in Oklahoma. Don has spent countless hours offering spiritual care in hospitals, hospice care facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities with many people he knew well or not at all, including his mother who lived for five years in such an environment.
Marc A. Markell Ph.D., CT
Marc Markell is a professor emeritus at St. Cloud State University in the Department of Special Education. He now teaches at Worsham College of Mortuary Science and plans to start teaching several courses at Edgewood College in their Master of
Thanatology program. Marc facilitates grief support groups for students in middle and high school who have experienced disenfranchised and suffocated grief. He also teaches Our Whole Lives for K-1st and 4-5th graders and Death Education to 2 and 3rd graders and 6th and 7th graders at Mayflower United Church of Christ. Marc earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and Educational Psychology. He is a certified Professional Development Specialist through the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He holds a certification as a Thanatologist through the Association of Death
Education and Counseling and is certified in Death and Grief Studies from Colorado State University through the Center for Loss and Life Transition. Marc is also a certified parent coach. He has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. He has earned the following certifications/training from national professional organizations: End of Life Doula, Crematory Operator, Funeral Arranger, and Celebrant.
Brittany Phillips, PT, DPT, OCS
Dr. Brittany Phillips is an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She treats a diverse population, including persons with orthopedic conditions, sports rehabilitation, as well as neurologic conditions and oncology. Beyond her role as a clinician, Dr. Phillips serves as a Certified Clinical Instructor (CCI) for physical therapy and physical therapy assistant students and is a two-time finalist for the Florida Clinical Instructor of the Year.
Lois Platt, MSN, RN
Ms. Platt has had extensive experience in a variety of health care settings, including as Staff Development Coordinator in a Long-Term Care facility. She also worked as a Term Assistant Professor of Nursing for the University of Alaska Anchorage AAS Nursing Program for many years as well as coordinating and teaching a Certified Nursing Assistant Program. Prior to entering nursing education, Ms. Platt worked in both staff nurse and Clinical Resource Manager positions in a small Critical Access Hospital in rural Alaska. Her work experience also includes staff and charge nurse positions on Medical-Surgical and
Intensive Care Units. Ms. Platt obtained a Diploma in nursing from Joseph Lawrence School of Nursing in New London, Connecticut; a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut; and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska.
