Faculty

The core faculty is comprised of senior educators from Rigpa's Spiritual Care Program trained under the guidance of Sogyal Rinpoche, a highly respected Tibetan Buddhist master regarded as an international authority on death and dying. They bring to their work decades of experience in providing training and education in contemplative care for hospitals, nursing homes and hospices. The core faculty will be joined by prominent guest speakers in the fields of spirituality and end-of-life care.

James Duffy, MD, is the president of the Institute of Religion and Health at Texas Medical Center and head of palliative medicine at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. A professor of public health at Weill Cornell Medical School, he has also held faculty positions at Brown, Harvard and the University of Connecticut. Jim is board certified in psychiatry and palliative medicine and is a fellow of the American Neuropsychiatric Association. Jim has developed professional renewal programs for physicians and nurses and has a particular interest in the spiritual aspects of healing and the healing relationship.

Annie Eichenholz, BS, RN, is an educator in Rigpa's Spiritual Care Program. Annie has more than fifteen years of experience as a nurse and volunteer with Sutter VNA and Hospice in Santa Rosa, California. She is certified as an educator by the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC), providing end-of-life care training to healthcare professionals, and facilitates hospice volunteer caregiver trainings. Annie has studied with Sogyal Rinpoche for twenty years.

Ann Allegre, MD, FACP, is director of medical programs for Kansas City Hospice. She also serves as medical director of the Palliative Care Consult Service for Providence Health. She is board certified in internal medicine and in hospice and palliative medicine. Ann began serving as a hospice medical director in 1988, and she is currently clinical associate professor of medicine for the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Ann has given numerous presentations to professional groups in the areas of palliative care, symptom management, ethics and communication with patients. Dr. Allegre was awarded the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine-Project on Death in America Community Leadership in Palliative Care Award in 2007, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the advancement of the field of palliative medicine through the education and training of future leaders.

Pamela Russell, MSW, is an educator in Rigpa's Spiritual Care Program, leading study groups and offering educational programs for healthcare professionals. She has studied with Sogyal Rinpoche for seventeen years and is a meditation instructor with Ripga. Pam has worked for more than twenty years as an activities director, specializing in care for elders in long-term care facilities. She currently works as a social worker in the state of New York, focusing her interest in palliative and hospice care.