AWARDS
2023 AARP District of Columbia (DC) Andrus Award for Community Service * 2023 Sousa Distinguished Service Award, Congressional Cemetery * 2023 Inpatient Volunteer of the Year (Sibley Hospital), Capital Caring Health * 2017 Finalist for Podster Magazine Best Unknown Podcasts of 2016 * 2016 Blogger Scholarship Award for Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit * 2016 16 Best Eating Disorder Blogs. Healthline * 2015 Women’s Plaza of Honor, The University of Arizona * 2015 Best Eating Disorder Blogs, Healthline * 2015 AED Patient Carer Travel Scholarship, The Academy for Eating Disorders * 2014 16 Best Eating Disorder Blogs, Healthline * 2014 Meehan/Hartley Award for Public Service and/or Advocacy, Academy for Eating Disorders * 2011 Magic Plate Award, F.E.A.S.T. * 2015 Women’s Plaza of Honor, The University of Arizona * 2017 Finalist for Podster Magazine Best Unknown Podcasts of 2016 * 2014-2016 16 Best Eating Disorder Blogs. Healthline * 2015 AED Patient Carer Travel Scholarship, The Academy for Eating Disorders * 2012 Top 25 Eating Disorder Blogs, Eating Disorder Hope * 2012 Healthline Best of the Web * 2012 Eating Disorder Hope “Top 20” Blogs * 2016 Blogger Scholarship Award for Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit * 2012 Health Activist Hero Award Finalist at WEGO Health * 2006 1st prize for Education Writing in The Fauquier Citizen from Virginia Press Association * 2006 2nd prize Special Sections for Fauquier Times Democrat (shared) VPA * 2006 3rd prize for Combination picture and story in The Fauquier Citizen (shared) VPA * 2005 1st prize Special Projects Certificate of Merit (shared) VPA * 2001 3rd Prize Winner VPA Home & Leisure Writing competition (W3) for “Have Menorah, Will Travel”
presentations and speeches
PUBLISHED IN
Huffington Post, Academy for Eating Disorders Forum, Pediatric Nursing, American Academy of Pediatrics Reaching Teens, DEED SCAN newsletter, F.E.A.S.T. Family Guide Series, Social Work License Map, Eating Disorders Resource Catalog, Advances in Eating Disorders, nationaleatingdisorders.org, empowher, Women's League Outlook International Magazine, iParenting.com, When Anorexia Came to Visit, In Ed says U said, Australian Practice Nurse's Association: Primary Times, Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine, Eating for Life Alliance, A collaborative approach to eating disorders, Building Block For Life, The Wild Ones, Home Education Learning Magazine, poodlepress, Writer's Lounge, Potomac Review, Skirt!, Transforming Anthropology Journal, Red River Review, Gundogs Online Magazine, Ikoya Media, Fairfax Times, Adoptive Families, NetNews, Home Education Magazine, Afro-American Historical Association, Virginia Home Educators Association Newsletter
blogger
Substack: Sandwiches in Cemeteries 2026
Laura’s Soap Box/2007-2020
Huffington Post/2009-2018
Healthy Place/March 2010-August 2010
interviews
Washington Post. Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Laura Ingraham Show, Dom Giordano Show, Virginia Currents, PBS, Newsweek, BBC, NPR On Point, MSNBC Live Talk, NPR's 51%, Washington Post, LA Times, Toronto Sun, Chicago Tribune, Hartford Courant, The Hill Rag, Sex Talk Tuesday, The New Statesman, Open Grove Radio, Boom Doctors, CKLW Radio, Huffington Post Live, Sex Talk Tuesday, Boom Doctors podcast, Parents to Parents Documentary, Stigma of Mental Illness, A2A Alliance Spotlight, #AEDchat, Psychiatric News, Student Health University of Kansas, NEDA Connections, Philadelphia Inquirer blog, Eating Disorders in Schools Gurze blog, Raise Healthy Eaters, Daily News, UNC Podcast, Healthy Place TV, The Women's Eye, Maitland Observer, Lansing State Journal, Parents’ Perspective Radio
affiliations/memberships
Co-founder of The DC Death Collective 2025-present, INELDA Member 2022-present, Academy for Eating Disorders Associate Member 2007-2021, The Virginia Writer’s Club 2015, International Society of Family History Writers and Editors 2013-2014, A2A Alliance Advocate 2013-present
public service
Death Doula in Residence at Congressional Cemetery 2023-present, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs’ Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program consumer advocate, 2020 * Stand-Up Warrenton co-producer 2018-2019 * Fauquier Band Organization, Secretary, 2013-2015 * Virginia Stakeholders Conference, Department of Education, April 2013 * Academy for Eating Disorders ICED Planning Committee 2012-2013 * AED Parent/Carer Task Force Member (AED Forum newsletter contributor) 2006-2011 * EDC FAC co-chair 2008-2009 * EDC Virginia delegation leader 2008, 2009, 2010 * ANAD Resource Person 2007-present * Academy for Eating Disorder * ICED Planning Committee 2008-2009 * CHADD Support Group Leader Fauquier County 2007-2008 * Quarterly news editor, Afro-American Historical Assoc. of Fauquier County Jan. 2000-June 2002 * Monthly Fauquier Jewish Community Association Newsletter 2002 * Bi-monthly Community Leadership Network NetNews May 2001-June 2002 * Board member, Virginia Native Plant Society 1996-1999 * Volunteer, People Helping People project Shining Hope 1999-2000 * Fauquier Home Educators 1999-2001
2023 AARP District of Columbia (DC) Andrus Award for Community Service * 2023 Sousa Distinguished Service Award, Congressional Cemetery * 2023 Inpatient Volunteer of the Year (Sibley Hospital), Capital Caring Health * 2017 Finalist for Podster Magazine Best Unknown Podcasts of 2016 * 2016 Blogger Scholarship Award for Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit * 2016 16 Best Eating Disorder Blogs. Healthline * 2015 Women’s Plaza of Honor, The University of Arizona * 2015 Best Eating Disorder Blogs, Healthline * 2015 AED Patient Carer Travel Scholarship, The Academy for Eating Disorders * 2014 16 Best Eating Disorder Blogs, Healthline * 2014 Meehan/Hartley Award for Public Service and/or Advocacy, Academy for Eating Disorders * 2011 Magic Plate Award, F.E.A.S.T. * 2015 Women’s Plaza of Honor, The University of Arizona * 2017 Finalist for Podster Magazine Best Unknown Podcasts of 2016 * 2014-2016 16 Best Eating Disorder Blogs. Healthline * 2015 AED Patient Carer Travel Scholarship, The Academy for Eating Disorders * 2012 Top 25 Eating Disorder Blogs, Eating Disorder Hope * 2012 Healthline Best of the Web * 2012 Eating Disorder Hope “Top 20” Blogs * 2016 Blogger Scholarship Award for Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit * 2012 Health Activist Hero Award Finalist at WEGO Health * 2006 1st prize for Education Writing in The Fauquier Citizen from Virginia Press Association * 2006 2nd prize Special Sections for Fauquier Times Democrat (shared) VPA * 2006 3rd prize for Combination picture and story in The Fauquier Citizen (shared) VPA * 2005 1st prize Special Projects Certificate of Merit (shared) VPA * 2001 3rd Prize Winner VPA Home & Leisure Writing competition (W3) for “Have Menorah, Will Travel”
presentations and speeches
- Are You Living Your Best Obit? Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, March 22, 2026
- Are You Living Your Best Obit? Amherst Neighbors, February 2025
- Guest Speaker, The Good Hearts Doula Community, January 2025
- Living Your Best Obituary: having the last word, Goodwin House, October 2024
- Write your own obituary, Iona Death Expo, November 4, 2023
- Death Café, Temperance Alley Garden, November 1, 2023
- Death Café, Congressional Cemetery, 2023-2024
- Amherst Neighbors Presentation, Intimate Conversation Embracing Our Mortality, July 6, 2023
- Greater Brookland Intergenerational Village, “What is a Death Doula?” April 12, 2023
- Take on Lent/A Lenten Journey from Ashes to Resurrection Presentation on Death Positivity, National Cathedral, Washington DC, March 21, 2023
- Sitting Vigil, March 2023, Capital Caring Health Vigil Training
- Death Doula Days, Saturdays in 2023
- Death Cafe, Facilitator, Congressional Cemetery, February 2023
- FEAST of Knowledge 2022, Does Motivation Matter, March 2022
- AKEDA Webinar: Distress Tolerance is Parental Superpower, February 2021
- International Conference on Eating Disorders, Treatment Plenary: Evidence-Based Treatment vs. Myth-Based Treatment, 2022
- Virtual ICED 2020: International Conference on Eating Disorders, Nothing About Us Without Us Webinar, Virtual ICED 2020
- FEAST of Knowledge Organizer and Co-Chair, Virtual 2020
- FEAST of Knowledge Webinar: Distress Tolerance is Parental Superpower, Virtual FOK 2020
- International Conference on Eating Disorders, Difficult Dialogues Session, NYC 2019
- FEAST of Knowledge Organizer and Chair, NYC 2019
- Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine Annual Conference, Productive Partnerships: Engaging Patients, Caregivers, and Providers Together to Enhance Outcomes (with Ashley Solomon, PsyD; Heather Dlugosz, MD; Carolyn Blair Burnett, MS), March
- CureTalks co-host Is Food Medicine? The Role of Nourishment in Eating Disorder Recovery February 2019
- International Conference on Eating Disorders, Difficult Dialogues Session, Chicago 2018
- FEAST of Knowledge Organizer and Chair, Chicago 2018
- DAR/Virginia, SCAN/Oregon, WVU/West Virginia 2016
- AHWED/Melbourne & Perth, Australia, AED ICED/Boston 2015
- M.O.M. March/Washington DC, AED/New York, EDIC/London, F.E.A.S.T./Austin 2014
- American Medical Association/Washington DC on Washington, AED ICED/Montreal, EDRS/California 2013
- US Congress/Washington DC, F.E.A.S.T./Alexandria Virginia, AED ICED/Austin 2012
- F.E.A.S.T. /Alexandria Virginia 2011
- AED ICED/Salzburg Austria, Renfrew/Philadelphia, EDIC/ London 2010
- NEDA/Minneapolis, The Emily Program/Minneapolis, Taylor Middle School/Warrenton, Athenry Farm/Purcellville Virginia, 2009
- LFCC/Warrenton Virginia, Academy for Eating Disorders/Baltimore Maryland 2009
- University of North Carolina, Fauquier Mental Health Association/Virginia 2008
- AED ICED/Baltimore, NEDA/San Diego 2007
- Wolfson Children’s Hospital/Florida, Ophelia’s Place/New York State 2006
- Eating Disorders Coalition/Washington DC, UVA/Charlottesville, Yale Rudd Center 2005
PUBLISHED IN
Huffington Post, Academy for Eating Disorders Forum, Pediatric Nursing, American Academy of Pediatrics Reaching Teens, DEED SCAN newsletter, F.E.A.S.T. Family Guide Series, Social Work License Map, Eating Disorders Resource Catalog, Advances in Eating Disorders, nationaleatingdisorders.org, empowher, Women's League Outlook International Magazine, iParenting.com, When Anorexia Came to Visit, In Ed says U said, Australian Practice Nurse's Association: Primary Times, Warrenton Lifestyle Magazine, Eating for Life Alliance, A collaborative approach to eating disorders, Building Block For Life, The Wild Ones, Home Education Learning Magazine, poodlepress, Writer's Lounge, Potomac Review, Skirt!, Transforming Anthropology Journal, Red River Review, Gundogs Online Magazine, Ikoya Media, Fairfax Times, Adoptive Families, NetNews, Home Education Magazine, Afro-American Historical Association, Virginia Home Educators Association Newsletter
blogger
Substack: Sandwiches in Cemeteries 2026
Laura’s Soap Box/2007-2020
Huffington Post/2009-2018
Healthy Place/March 2010-August 2010
interviews
Washington Post. Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Laura Ingraham Show, Dom Giordano Show, Virginia Currents, PBS, Newsweek, BBC, NPR On Point, MSNBC Live Talk, NPR's 51%, Washington Post, LA Times, Toronto Sun, Chicago Tribune, Hartford Courant, The Hill Rag, Sex Talk Tuesday, The New Statesman, Open Grove Radio, Boom Doctors, CKLW Radio, Huffington Post Live, Sex Talk Tuesday, Boom Doctors podcast, Parents to Parents Documentary, Stigma of Mental Illness, A2A Alliance Spotlight, #AEDchat, Psychiatric News, Student Health University of Kansas, NEDA Connections, Philadelphia Inquirer blog, Eating Disorders in Schools Gurze blog, Raise Healthy Eaters, Daily News, UNC Podcast, Healthy Place TV, The Women's Eye, Maitland Observer, Lansing State Journal, Parents’ Perspective Radio
affiliations/memberships
Co-founder of The DC Death Collective 2025-present, INELDA Member 2022-present, Academy for Eating Disorders Associate Member 2007-2021, The Virginia Writer’s Club 2015, International Society of Family History Writers and Editors 2013-2014, A2A Alliance Advocate 2013-present
public service
Death Doula in Residence at Congressional Cemetery 2023-present, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs’ Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program consumer advocate, 2020 * Stand-Up Warrenton co-producer 2018-2019 * Fauquier Band Organization, Secretary, 2013-2015 * Virginia Stakeholders Conference, Department of Education, April 2013 * Academy for Eating Disorders ICED Planning Committee 2012-2013 * AED Parent/Carer Task Force Member (AED Forum newsletter contributor) 2006-2011 * EDC FAC co-chair 2008-2009 * EDC Virginia delegation leader 2008, 2009, 2010 * ANAD Resource Person 2007-present * Academy for Eating Disorder * ICED Planning Committee 2008-2009 * CHADD Support Group Leader Fauquier County 2007-2008 * Quarterly news editor, Afro-American Historical Assoc. of Fauquier County Jan. 2000-June 2002 * Monthly Fauquier Jewish Community Association Newsletter 2002 * Bi-monthly Community Leadership Network NetNews May 2001-June 2002 * Board member, Virginia Native Plant Society 1996-1999 * Volunteer, People Helping People project Shining Hope 1999-2000 * Fauquier Home Educators 1999-2001
