For over 25 years, Dr. Heather Mohan has eased the pains of families struggling with grief and despair. In recognition of her achievements as a doctor and counsellor, today she was named Honorary Fellow, the highest honour presented by Douglas College.
Dr. Mohan is world-renowned for her expertise in grief counselling, palliative care, music therapy and arts education. She is the founder of Camp Kerry, Canada’s first family grief camp. Hundreds of bereaved families have participated in this award-winning program, consisting of an in-person, four-day, counsellor-staffed retreat filled with therapeutic activities.
Camp Kerry is run by the Lumara Society, a B.C.-based registered charity dedicated to grief counselling. As Lumara’s executive director, Dr. Mohan is at the heart of countless other wellness-oriented programs, including support groups and community choirs.
“The care Dr. Mohan provides and advocates for, especially for those dealing with grief and death, exemplifies the resilience, innovation and leadership that we encourage our students to develop,” says Dr. Kathy Denton, President of Douglas College. “We admire her compassion and it is our privilege to recognize her life’s work by awarding her the title of Honorary Fellow.”
Dr. Mohan’s extensive partnership with the College includes participating in the advisory board of Douglas College’s End-of-Life Doula program, as well as hosting recurring wellness events. These events include grief workshops at the New Westminster Campus and mindfulness-based stress reduction sessions at the Coquitlam Campus.
“For years, the College’s generous support of Lumara has played a significant role in helping us to foster a sense of belonging for people coping with grief, loss and serious illness,” says Dr. Mohan. “I am very proud to be an Honorary Fellow of Douglas College, a place that embodies the values of community and relationship.”
Dr. Mohan’s past experience includes working with the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, Delta Hospice Society and the Lions Gate Hospital. In 2012, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her leadership in hospice/palliative care. She has taught about her specialties in multiple North American universities, and has been invited to present her research at conferences throughout Canada, the U.S.A., Europe and Asia.
Douglas College is the largest degree-granting college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca
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