Deborah L. Patterson

Rev. Dr. Deborah L. Patterson is the author of a primer on parish nursing (The Essential Parish Nurse), one on Health Ministries (Health Ministries: A Primer for Clergy and Congregations), a book of prayers and meditations for parish nurses and health ministers, a book of sermons and adult education resources for health ministries, covering topics such as "access to care, call to health ministry, healthy lifestyles, healthy families, healing our infirmities, and the health of creation," a collection of hymns, and "Health Ministry Advice for Everyone," based on her popular weekly "Ask Deborah" columns at the Church Health Center.

Deborah served as the Executive Director of the International Parish Nurse Resource Center for a decade, as well as in several other leadership capacities in congregations and other faith-based health and human service organizations. She has also personally experienced just how essential a parish nurse can be, and how healing words can make all the difference in the world. She currently is the pastor of Smyrna United Church of Christ near Canby, Oregon, and serves on several faith-based boards.