SacredFlight | About SacredFlight Music-Thanatologists

Board of Directors Barbara Cabot, Certified M-Th :: bio Sharilyn Cohn, Certified M-Th :: bio The Rev. Christine Dungan :: bio Anna Fiasca, Certified M-Th :: bio Robert Hugo Richardson, MD :: bio Jo Turner :: bio
The Rev. Christine Dungan grew up in Portland and returned to Oregon in 2005 following an extended sojourn in the Northeast and South. She has a bachelor's degree in Latin American history from the University of South Carolina-Aiken, a master of divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary and a master of arts in religion from Vanderbilt University. She is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Before attending seminary, Chris worked in public relations for the maritime and food industries. Chris presently serves as parish associate at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Portland, and she is past president and member of the board of the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. A long-time dog fancier, she is a member of the Collie Club of America. Chris was introduced to the work of music-thanatologists during the final illness of her father, and she is delighted to support and promote SacredFlight.
Anna Fiasca grew up in the environs of Portland, Oregon, where she studied violin and viola, pursued her academic career and took her BA in education at Portland State University. She raised her family in the Columbia River Gorge, while running a family business and working as a freelance and professional violist with local orchestras and chamber groups in the Portland-Vancouver area. Since completing her studies at Chalice of Repose Project she joined in forming SacredFlight, which she continues to serve as a Board member. Anna is staff music-thanatologist at Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Oregon. She is a member of the Music-Thanatology Association International and chairs MTAI's Education task force.
Robert Hugo Richardson, MD retired in 2005 after 28 years with Northwest Kaiser Permanente. He had practiced Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine since 1968, was director of the Kaiser Permanente Northwest Regional Ethics Service and the inpatient palliative care service at Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital. In January 2006, Robert began working with OHSU to establish a program aimed at expanding bedside education in ethics and palliative care for future generations of health care professionals. Robert has found SacredFlight's to be very helpful in alleviating severe pain and other symptoms in critically ill patients and feels that it has helped many of these patients in their journey to find spiritual and existential peace.
Jo Turner has had diverse jobs and careers – waitress, Municipal Court clerk, physician's assistant, preschool head teacher. When her husband of 34 years became ill, she was caregiver and advocate for his journey through the healthcare system. After his death in 2004, Jo created an annual fundraising event in his name, raising money for SacredFlight and for an early-onset Alzheimer's awareness fund. She recently returned to the work force as a dispatcher for a delivery service. Jo wholeheartedly supports the necessary, wonderful work SacredFlight does, having seen for herself how much peace and serenity these gifted musicians bring to others.