is a Postdoctoral Associate with the Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative at Duke Divinity School. Her focus is on increasing Advance Care Planning awareness and access between the University and Durham’s faith community. Prior to joining Duke Divinity, Maria worked as a hospice chaplain for several years in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after doing her Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in Orlando, Florida, at Nemours Children’s Hospital. She graduated from Wake Forest University as the first student accepted into its dual-degree program for the Schools of Law and Divinity, earning her Juris Doctor and Master of Divinity. While at Wake Law, Maria created a student clinic at the Downtown Health Plaza (a community clinic serving lower-income patients) that allowed law students, under the supervision of licensed attorneys, to assist community members with completion of their health care directives (Healthcare Power of Attorney & Living Will). Maria is passionate about sharing the benefits of early end-of-life planning with families. In her free time, she is an avid outdoor enthusiast and member of the National Park Traveler’s Club, a social club for National Park geeks. She visits at least 20 new parks a year with the hopes of making it to all 423 sites across the U.S. and its territories.
