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.
 
Queens Federation of Churches http://www.QueensChurches.org/ Last Updated February 2, 2005