H I S T O R Y

2002 - Companion Arts established as a nonprofit, 501 (c)3 organization, founded by Michael Stillwater and Gary Malkin. Charter Board formed, Stillwater named first Executive Director. Educational initiative awarded a Presidential Grant from the Fetzer Institute.

The original company which supported the development of the nonprofit was renamed Wisdom of the World, Inc., 'Media for a Meaningful Life', with Malkin as CEO.

2003 - A Lloyd Symington Foundation grant helped introduce the 'Grace In Practice' educational program into the cancer community, focusing on helping staff with emotional and spiritual selfcare. Mid-year fundraiser introduced the vision of training educators using innovative audio for practitioners. Stillwater and Malkin presented Grace In Practice workshops and Medicine Music concerts in the U.S. and Canada, including NHPCO national conference, Florida and Arizona state palliative care events. Healthcare consultant Mary Matthiesen, together with pilot programs and feedback from a national advisory circle, helped clarify the initiative.

2004 - Ms. Matthiesen named as Executive Director, and helped launch the initiative, Care for the Journey: Sustaining the Heart of Healthcare. Stillwater and Malkin began production of Care for the Journey Audio Resource with Ms. Matthiesen as Executive Producer. Theo Koffler, contemplative education advocate, joined the Board and supported bringing Audio CD into production. Care for the Journey presented across the country, including practitioners retreats in Austin and Chicago, medical residents training at George Washington Medical Center in DC, and conference presentation at Harvard Mind/Body Conference in Boston.

2005

January - Ms. Matthiesen shifts to advisory/educator role; Stillwater accepts leadership. Speaker/educator Jean Watson introduces hospital administrators to the resource.

February - The Audio Resource is divided into two volumes. The first volume, 'The Appreciation Edition', is prepared for an April release. The second volume, 'The Enrichment Edition', with messages supportive of palliative care, is envisioned for a later release.

March - Care for the Journey program delivered to Pain Society of Oregon; Audio Resource is mastered and duplicated.

April - Audio Resource, Care for the Journey: Messages with Music for Sustaining the Heart of Healthcare, is released at the Nurse Leaders Conference in Chicago and at the Harvard Mind/Body Institute Conference in Santa Fe. Tom Lant, speaker/educator and director of the Spirit of Caregiving training group, becomes first edition sponsor, and introduces resource to hospitals nationwide. Care for the Journey retreat presented at Sunstone Cancer Center in Arizona.

May - The resource is delivered during Nurses Week through hospitals and nursing colleges throughout the country.

June-September - Recording of an envisioned third volume, 'The Leadership Edition', is initiated with first speaker recorded. Companion Arts Founders receive Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Award for Excellence in End-of-Life Care. Interest in Care for the Journey programs continue to be offered, including presentation to Kansas Healthcare Association through educator Tarron Estes, founder of ElderSpa. Positive reviews from administrators and clinicians from across the nation. Website is redesigned; C.A.R.E. modules introduced.

October-December - Presentations of the program at Planetree, Dartmouth Oncology Nurses, True North Conference, Ohio Hospice & Palliative Care Convention, and Harvard Mind Body Conference. First edition audio reprinted; recordings of voices continues.

2006- January-June - Presentations of the program at American Academy of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, Nashville, TN; San Diego Hospice, CA; Four Seasons Hospice, NC; Baylor Health System, Dallas, TX; release of The Heart of Healing, new audio resource of messages and music for both practitioners and patients. Audio resouce clients include Baylor, Mercy Health, Baptist Hospital of Miami, Adventist.

July-December - The first annual Art of Presence for Healthcare Renewal retreat in Assisi, Italy, joined by Care for the Journey speaker Dr. Christina Puchalski, occurred with 25 health professionals from across America and Switzerland. Programs were delivered in conferences in the northwest and midwest. Audio resource clients include Memorial of Savannah, Capitol Hospice, Institute for Health and Healing.

2007- January-June - A return to Baylor Health Systems in Dallas for a Care for the Journey program and introduction of the program at St. Mary's in Grand Rapids, MI. Partnering with American Cancer Society begins by including The Heart of Healing CD in their Cancer Care Package. Audio resource clients include University of Texas Health Science Center, Baylor Health, Johns Hopkins, Kaiser Hawaii, St. Mary's, Memorial Hermann, Scripps Clinic of La Jolla.

July-December- The second annual Art of Presence for Healthcare Renewal retreat in Assisi, Italy, joined by Care for the Journey speaker Dr. Christina Puchalski, with 32 health professionals from across America. Partnership with American Cancer Society furthers as they bring their Cancer Care Package to national level. Presentation in Poland for World Hospice Day; presentations also in the northewest and midwest. Funds raised through distribution of audio resources to begin production of Care for the Journey 'Enrichment Edition' CD. Audio resouce clients include Loyola University Medical Center, the American Cancer Society, and Creative Healthcare Management.