Outstanding Leadership in Queens
2002 Honoree of the Queens Federation of Churches
Joan C. Thompson, RN MS MS
Joan C. Thompson has been a member of Grace
Episcopal Church Jamaica for more than 40 years. As a founding member of
the Grace Church Social Action Committee, she helped define its role within
the church and developed the organization into a creative and productive
ministry, including a Summer Day Camp (she chaired its board), a math and
reading tutorial program, and a scholarship program for eligible college-bound
students.
As Choir Mother in her earlier years at Grace,
she laundered the collars of the youth choir robes. She coordinated Blood
Drives in collaboration with Queens Hospital Center. As a registered nurse,
she conducted Hypertensive Screening in conjunction with The Queens County
Black Nurses Association of which she is the founding president. Mrs.
Thompson has served on the Vestry of Grace Church and was president of
the Contemporaries, a committee of seniors.
As Health Consultant of the Social Action Committee,
she conducted workshops on health care including Cancer Awareness and
Breast Self-Examination, Diabetes and its Impact on the Minority Population,
Understanding Health Maintenance Organizations, and The Importance of
Immunization for the School Age Child.
Mrs. Thompson received her nursing diploma from
The Brooklyn Hospital Training School for Nurses and her academic credentials
at Hunter College, CUNY (MS degree in Nursing) and at Queens College,
CUNY (MS degree in Counselor Education), and is a NYS-certified counselor
and a school nurse-teacher. She has continued her education, having attended
conventions and workshops throughout the United States, and in Korea,
Taiwan, Japan, Spain, Israel, and, most recently, in Denmark.
Nassau Community College granted Mrs. Thompson
the distinguished title of Professor Emeritus upon her retirement as a
full professor in the Department of Nursing where she taught for more
than 20 years. Prior to her retirement, she joined the Adjunct Faculty
at St. Joseph's College where she now teaches counseling courses.
Mrs. Thompson often provides counseling services
pro bono, and most recently, served as a volunteer Mental Health Counselor
at Pier 94 following the World Trade Center tragedy.
Joan Thompson sincerely believes that tithing
involves not only a commitment of a portion of one's income, but it also
involves an offering of one's talents. This she has done in abundance.
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