David Free

DNP, MSc, NP(Family), CHPCN(C)

Bio

Dr. Free is a lecturer in the NP program as a preceptor to NP students. He has worked in elder, palliative care and primary care as a nurse practitioner for 14 years. David completed a clinical doctorate (DNP) in the U.S. focusing on educational factors that impact knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of palliative care in post-acute settings. He holds current CNA certification in palliative and hospice care. Throughout his career, Dr. Free has worked in a variety of progressive blended clinician-leader roles, establishing and growing palliative care clinical programs across the healthcare continuum in both Canada and in the United States.

Profile

Educational Background:

• DNP, Chatham University 
• MSN, University of Maryland, Baltimore 
• BScN, McMaster University

Honours:

• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
• Golden Key International Honor Society
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Beta Theta Pi Fraternity

Awards:

• 2015 Hospice Palliative Nurses Association Conference Scholarship
• 2013 Beta Theta Pi Merit Scholarship for doctoral study
• 2012, 2011, 2010 John L. Whitehurst Scholarship (University of Maryland Baltimore)
• 2010 American College of Nurse Practitioners National Student Scholarship
• 2009 Clara Barton Fellowship Award, Full-tuition Masters Scholarship
• 2007 University Prize for Special Achievement (McMaster University)
• 2007, 2006, 2005 Corelene Helen Tostevin Scholarship (McMaster University)
• 2005 Henrietta Alderson Scholarship (McMaster University

Area of Research

Sherman, D. W., McGuire, D., Free, D. C., & Cheung, J. (2014). Transitions of family caregivers of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: A mixed method study. The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 48(3), 385-399.

Free D. (2015). Education to Increase Palliative Care Knowledge in Long-term Care. Pittsburgh, PA: Chatham University. [doctoral capstone].

Publications

Book Chapters

Sherman, D. W., & Free, D. C. (2018). Culture and Spirituality. In M. Matzo, M., & D. W. Sherman (Eds.). Palliative care nursing: Quality care through the end of life (5th edition). New York: Springer Publishers.

Free, D. C., & Sherman, D. W. (2017). Sudden Death. In K. Plakovic, B. Bobb, & P. Coyne (Eds.), Conversations in palliative care (4th edition, pp. 199-208). Pensacola, FL: Pohl Publishing.

Sherman, D. W., & Free, D. C. (2015). Nursing and Palliative Care. In G. Hanks, N. I. Cherny, N.A. Christakis, M. Fallon, S. Kaasa, & R. K. Portenoy (Eds.), Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine (5th edition). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Sherman, D. W., & Free, D. C. (2011). Advance Directives. In H. R. Feldman, G. R. Alexander, M. J. Greenberg, M. Jaffe-Ruiz, A. B. McBride, M. L. McClure, & T. D. Smith (Eds.), Nursing leadership: A concise encyclopedia (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Pub.

Sherman, D. W., & Free, D. C. (2011). Sudden Death. In J. T. Panke & P. J. Coyne (Eds.), Conversations in palliative care (3rd edition, pp. 129-138). Pensacola, FL: Pohl Publishing.

Peer-reviewed Journals

Free, D. C. (2012). Music has charms. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 15(4). 492-493.

Free, D. C. (2007). On the day we said goodbye. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 7(4), 222.