Sarah Parker Ward is sparking conversations about end-of-life care.
More about this author
Sarah Parker Ward encourages us to think differently about ‘deathcare’. She argues that having a clear strategy leads to better end-of-life care. Few people are aware that the dying have access to a range of services that can involve technological solutions, community assistance, and informal care.
Evidence shows planning for end-of-life care in advance improves the quality of care and reduces emotional and economic harm to women (who often bear the brunt of informal end-of-life care). Not only that, but it can enhance the planner’s sense of personal contentment and community involvement.
Ward has trained under the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA), the Oasis Institute’s Center for Mindfulness at UMass Amherst, and PsiloHealth’s Psychedelic Peer Support certification. Together with Anish Dhanasekaran, Ward is co-founder of Clio, a platform designed to help the dying more quickly connect with the global deathcaring community ready to serve them.
She holds a Ph.D. in Emerging Media Studies from Boston University, where her research explored death cognition and related policy implications. She has created content within Columbia University’s Digital Storytelling Lab, taught marketing and communications at Rensellaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Boston University, and SUNY Potsdam. She has served on multiple nonprofit boards, including those dedicated to supporting healthcare, more equitable access to the arts, and education.
She is the proud mother of three children.Publications by this author
Media Consumption and Creation in Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Web-Based Survey
Co-authors: Jacob Groshek, Miles Basil and Ling Guo | Journal of Medical Internet Research; Francis A Farraye; Jason Reich | December | 2017
This survey shows that although Irritable Bowel Disease affects five million people globally, 85 percent of the population doesn’t know what it is.
Media by this author
Interview | December | 2024
Dr. Parker Ward shares her journey from digital advertising to becoming a pioneering voice in the intersection of technology and end-of-life planning. She offers unique insights into how the digital revolution is transforming our relationship with death and explores the emergence of innovative technologies like grief bots and digital legacy planning tools.
Interview | August | 2024
Dr. Sarah Parker Ward talks to the Health Design podcast encouraging you to think more affectionately about death so you can experience a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Interview | August | 2023
Sarah Parker Ward joins the Long Hall Many Doors podcast to share her expert opinion regarding the importance of death workers finding financial sustainability as it relates to the overarching health of the Holistic Death Care Movement.
