Hope Conference Speakers

Kenneth J. Doka, PhD
Professor of Gerontology
Graduate School, The College of New Rochelle

Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, is a Professor of Gerontology at the Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle and Senior Consultant to the Hospice Foundation of America.  A prolific author, Dr. Doka’s books include Beyond Kübler-Ross: New Perspectives on Death, Dying, and Grief, Spirituality and End-of-Life Care, Grieving beyond Gender: Understanding the Ways Men and Woman Mourn; and numerous other books in the areas of illness, death, dying, and grief. In addition to the books he has written, Dr. Doka has published over 100 articles and book chapters.  He is editor of both Omega: The Journal of Death and Dying and Journeys: A Newsletter to Help in Bereavement.

Dr. Doka has keynoted conferences throughout North America as well as Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.  He participates in the annual Hospice Foundation of America Teleconference and has appeared on CNN and Nightline.  He has also served as a consultant to medical, nursing, funeral service and hospice organizations as well as businesses and educational and social service agencies.  Dr. Doka is an ordained Lutheran minister.

Dr. Doka was elected President of the Association for Death Education and Counseling in 1993.  In 1995, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Work Group on Dying, Death and Bereavement and served as chair from 1997-1999.  He received the award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Death Education in 1998.  In 2000, Scott and White presented him an award for Outstanding Contributions to Thanatology and Hospice.  His Alma Mater Concordia College presented him with their first Distinguished Alumnus Award.  He is a recipient of the Caring Hands Award as well as the Dr. Robert Fulton CDEB Founder’s Award. 

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