Julu 2024
We wish to celebrate and honor our Caritas Colleagues and share their contribution and commitment to Caring Science. This month we are celebrating: Paulina Van, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN, Caritas Coach®, Caritas Leader® Faculty, Faculty Consultant, WCSI Postdoctoral Scholar, and Caritas Consultant.
Her Journey
Dr. Paulina Van entered academia after spending over twenty years in various executive-level positions in acute care, home care, and public health. She has held faculty or administrative positions in the Schools of Nursing at Samuel Merritt University, the University of San Francisco, the University of California, San Francisco, and California State University, East Bay, teaching at the doctoral, masters, and baccalaureate levels. She is currently working as a professor and researcher at Samuel Merritt University. Dr. Van holds notable appointments with the Watson Caring Science Institute as Postdoctoral Scholar, Caritas Consultant, Caritas Leader® and Faculty Consultant.
Dr. Van graduated with a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from the University of San Francisco. She earned a Master's degree in Nursing Administration, a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the University of California, San Francisco. She has also earned the designation Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) from the National League for Nursing. Dr. Van holds five additional distinguished certifications: Certified Instructor, Online Teaching & Learning (California State University, East Bay), Certified Mediator (The Center for Narrative and Discursive Practice), Reiki Master, HeartMath® Certified Trainer (HeartMath Institute), and Caritas Coach (Watson Caring Science Institute).
Public and private entities have recognized Dr. Van for her sustained contributions to education and service, including being featured in a permanent exhibit at the African American Museum and Library in Oakland, a recipient of two United States Congregational recognition awards and several distinguished awards from professional organizations, including her recent induction as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. In 2014, she was given a prestigious honor when inducted into the Inaugural Leadership Hall of Fame, Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, Alpha Eta Chapter (UCSF). In 2021, she was honored with the Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award for Education by Sigma, Nu Xi At Large Chapter (California State University East Bay, Holy Names University, Samuel Merritt University).
Dr. Van is passionate about her program of research, which began in 1996 and is focused on the wide range of issues concerning women and pregnancy loss. This passion began focusing on African American women and has extended to diverse women in the US and internationally in Mexico and Spain. A significant contribution to practice has been her development and dissemination of an emerging theoretical "Model of Coping after Pregnancy Loss for Diverse Women." She has presented papers on these topics in the United States and eight other countries to multidisciplinary audiences of health care professionals. Dr. Van earned research funding awards from various organizations, including the National Institute of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research, Johnson & Johnson, Sigma, and the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Van's scientific publications address perinatal grief, healing, coping, and reflective practices' impact on student learning
Dr. Van has served as the principal investigator for two HRSA, Nursing Education Opportunity Program, Nursing Workforce Diversity Program awards. These awards have totaled over two million dollars over the period 2016 to 2021.
Being Caritas has given me the tools to be a healing presence (Caritas Process 8). I am humbled by the privilege of being an impetus for healing...
Contributions to the legacy of Caring Science
My first book, "Regala Healing®," was released in September 2021. It is a poetic, sacred work that emerged from my commitment to increasing self-care, self-love, and self-compassion while studying in the Caritas Coach Education Program® (CCEP). I host a live, biweekly program on BlackDoctor.org, where, within the context of Caring Science, I focus on meditation, mindfulness, and healing prose from my book, "Regala Healing."
I continue expanding my understanding of Caring Science by immersing myself in new book releases, journal articles, webinars, and conferences and engaging with other Caring Science practitioners. I serve as a reviewer, presenter, or moderator for International Organization of Human Caring conferences. In my workplace, I incorporate Caring Science practices into my courses and promote the theory in university meetings and leadership activities. I have presented Caring Science theoretical tenets to major healthcare systems, professional conferences, and biweekly on my livestream show. I have planned a publication with Dr. Watson illustrating the use of Caring Science as a theoretical framework for my theory related to healing after pregnancy loss. Most importantly, I set an intention each day to live Caritas.
Transpersonal Moment
A dear friend of my daughter’s experienced an unexpected divorce just before the pandemic, plunging her into severe depression despite the unwavering support of her two loving teenage daughters and extended family. Her mental and physical health deteriorated over two years, and earlier this year, she contracted the flu, leading to neurological symptoms that left her unable to walk or swallow. Feeling hopeless, she requested to be a DNR upon her hospital admission for Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Her family, however, reversed that decision, initiating aggressive treatment that began her slow recovery.
A few days ago, I saw a young woman using a walker at a gathering and realized it was my daughter’s friend. Our eyes met, and I saw a bright light in her gaze. From her response, I believe she also experienced our energetic connection. I told her she had been reborn, and with a big smile, she responded, "Yes, I believe I have, and I’m claiming it." In that moment, I sensed a profound shift in her energy, a renewal of life and spirit. It was a special caring moment, experience our soul to soul connection and witnessing her transformation from despair to hope.
Finding joy in shared moments
Earlier this year, Dr. Watson was in the SF Bay Area, and I was thrilled to meet up with her. When I arrived at her hotel, she was relaxing in a beautiful lounge. We caught up for a bit before she mentioned her love for football and asked if I minded her watching the game. Although I’m not a football fan, I saw this as a special opportunity to just be with Dr. Watson.
As we watched, I found joy in observing her excitement and passion for the game. Her knowledge of the players and the sport was truly impressive. To my surprise, the following Sunday, I watched the game with my husband and enjoyed it. That’s the Dr. Watson love and caring effect—finding joy in shared moments and discovering new interests through her infectious enthusiasm.
The impact of Caring Science on my life, career, or patients
Caring Science and becoming a member of the WCSI community has changed my personal and professional life. The greatest impact has been on how I see and mentally experience each day of my life. My immersion into self during the CCEP program helped me to reveal and unveil my childhood trauma and embark fearlessly on a journey of healing.
What Caring Science means to me
For the last three years, I have hosted "The Poetry of Healing," a livestream program on Blackdoctor.org, which reaches 2.6 million subscribers. The focus of the show is promoting healing of the mind and spirit. I am continually amazed at the vulnerability displayed by guests, often revealing truths they have hidden from themselves or others.
One profound example occurred during an episode about forgiveness, when my pastor revealed he had been sexually abused as a child—something he had never publicly disclosed. I have learned from my guests that I "create" an environment where they feel safe to be vulnerable and share life experiences or conditions that have impeded their healing.
Being Caritas has given me the tools to be a healing presence (Caritas Process 8). I am humbled by the privilege of being an impetus for healing among my guests, which I believe also promotes healing among my worldwide viewers.
Favorite Caritas Process
One of my favorite Caritas Processes is number three: “Being sensitive to self and others by cultivating own spiritual practices; beyond ego-self to transpersonal presence.” This guides me to incorporate reflective practices like meditation and prayer, helping me connect with my inner self and my creator. In this space, I can hear God’s voice and plan for my life, which provides me with guidance, strength, confidence, self-compassion, self-love, and resilience. Caring for myself in this way is foundational to caring for others with love. In the end, it is all about love.
Areas of Expertise
- Pregnancy loss
- Perinatal grief
- Coping
- Healing
- Reflective practices (meditation, mindfulness)
- Reiki master
- Healing Circles
- HeartMath
- Leadership/management
- Author
- Researcher
- Academician
- Presenter
- Media host, producer, director, content creator
- poet
Location
Walnut Creek, CA USA
Publications
My program of research since the mid-90s has centered on support for women after pregnancy loss. This focus, along with my work to incorporate Caring Science as the theoretical foundation for my theory, contributed to my 2023 induction as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.
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