ST CHRISTOPHER'S - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
Born 22 June 1918 in Barnet, Hertfordshire, Dame Cicely trained as a nurse, a medical social worker and finally as a physician.
Involved with the care of patients with terminal illness since 1948, she lectured widely on this subject, wrote many articles and contributed to numerous books.
Dame Cicely founded St Christopher's Hospice in 1967 as the first hospice linking expert pain and symptom control, compassionate care, teaching and clinical research.
St Christopher's has been a pioneer in the field of palliative medicine, which is now established worldwide.
Dame Cicely recognised the inadequacy of the care of the dying that was offered in hospitals. So often, patients and families were told that "there was nothing more that could be done" a statement that Cicely refused to accept. Throughout her time at St Christopher's her watchword was "there is so much more to be done."
Dame Cicely had initially thought of creating an Anglican religious community but broadened her vision so that St Christopher's became a place that welcomed staff and patients of any faith or none.
However, Cicely's strong Christian faith was a fundamental factor in her vision to establish her own home for the dying and remained an anchor throughout her life.
Dame Cicely is recognised as the founder of the modern hospice movement and received many honours and awards for her work. She held more than 25 honorary degrees, from the UK and overseas.
Dame Cicely Saunders is born
Born 22 June 1918 in Barnet, Hertfordshire, Dame Cicely trained as a nurse, a medical social worker and finally as a physician.
Dame Cicely Saunders died peacefully on Thursday 14 July 2005 at St Christopher's Hospice in south London, the world-famous hospice that she founded in the 1960s, and the birthplace of the modern hospice movement.
On 23 June 2015, 120 people gathered at St Christopher's to remember Dame Cicely Saunders to celebrate her life and many achievements ten years since she died at the hospice she founded. Download tributes (PDF)
Dame Cicely was educated at Roedean (1932-37), St. Anne"s College Oxford (1938 - 1939 and 1944-45). She trained as a nurse at St Thomas's Hospital Nightingale School of Nursing from 1940-44; qualified AIMSW (Medical Social Worker) in 1947 and trained as a doctor at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School (1951-57) qualifying MB, BS with Honours in surgery. Visit our Library and Bookshop for further information.
Promoting the appreciation and understanding of the life and work of Dame Cicely Saunders
Job Titles:
- Member of the President and Vice Presidents Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
Job Titles:
- Director of People and Organisational Development
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
Job Titles:
- Lead Palliative Care Consultant
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair
- Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Head of Communications & Marketing
Gail has a wide ranging experience in Physiotherapy, coming to work at St Christopher's in 2011. She has been involved in all aspects of Rehabilitation at St Christopher's including developing the Living Well at Home Team (goal focused rehabilitation using volunteers). She was part of the Wellbeing team through recent COVID-19 pandemic, translating in-person services online and then back again in a new design.
She is currently working clinically in outpatient rehab and as part of the Professional Learning team helping to deliver webinars, workshops, communities and the 2023 Multi Professional Academy week.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
Job Titles:
- Director of Quality and Innovation
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance and Corporate Services
Job Titles:
- President of the President and Vice Presidents Team
In 1963, Marian Bohusz-Szyszko held an exhibition at the Drian Gallery in London. Dr Cicely Saunders, then continuing her tireless work to found St Christopher's Hospice, saw his painting Christ Calming the Waters, and purchased it for the hospice.
Cicely began writing to Marian and their relationship developed. Marian became ‘artist in residence' at the hospice after it opened, and had a studio on what is now Rugby Ward. Marian and Cicely were married in 1980.
Marian Bohusz-Szyszko was born in 1901 near Vilnius, then in Russian Poland, today in Lithuania.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Trustees
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Neil Goulden is Chair of Trustees and Eleanor Brown is Vice Chair - you can find out more about our Trustee and Executive Team here.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
- Trustee / Patron
Job Titles:
- Director of Fundraising & Communications
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
- Trustee