Dr. Ruth Dankanich Daumer, associate professor and chairperson of the department of nursing at Northwestern College, has had her research on the experience of clergy health published in the spring 2007 issue of Health Ministry Journal. Daumer’s article, “Walking With Clergy on Their Health Journey,” explores how clergy understand their experience of personal and family health, what health resources they find helpful, and strategies they use to promote and protect their health.
She also recently presented an educational session at the Iowa District West Pastors’ Conference in Sioux City. Her session, “Whole-Heart Health for Marys and Marthas: Nurturing our Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Hearts,” focused on women’s health issues for church workers and their families.
Daumer coordinates a parish nurse ministry at Faith Lutheran Church in Orange City and St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Ireton. Within her denomination she coordinates Health Advocacy, which encourages holistic health for professional church workers and their families in western Iowa. Regionally and nationally, she consults with other churches and denominations on faith and health ministries and clergy health.
Daumer holds a doctorate in educational administration from the University of South Dakota. She earned a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Briar Cliff University. She is licensed as an advanced practice nurse/clinical specialist in community health nursing.
