I Am Wilshire – Linda Garner.
Name: Linda F. Garner;
Hometown: Stephenville, Texas;
Education: BSN, Baylor; MS, Univ. of Minnesota; PhD, Univ. of North Texas (with nursing at TWU)
Profession: Nurse educator and faith community nurse
Present city: Dallas
Tell us about your family.
I have a brother and sister-in-law who live in Bedford. My nephew and his wife have two sons and live in Southlake.
How about your work?
I always wanted to be a nurse — my aunt said from when I was 2 ½ years old. By high school I knew I wanted to teach nursing, which I did at Baylor University School of Nursing for 40 years.
Tell us about your volunteer life.
I sponsored student mission trips to Mexico for 30 years as a part of my faculty responsibilities and have participated in trips with Wilshire. I wanted to use my talents in my church, and parish nursing is the perfect way for me to do that. This month is my 20-year anniversary of being Wilshire’s parish nurse — first as faculty practice, then full-time since my retirement. I also love volunteering for Faith Presbyterian Hospice with my therapy dog, Amani.
What are your favorite hobbies?
Reading, knitting and my therapy dog. I collect nativity sets and elephants and have many from countries I have visited on mission trips.
What is your favorite place to travel?
Anywhere. I lived in India as a missionary for two years.
What are you most passionate about?
Faith community nursing. The whole premise is the connection of body, mind and spirit. The spiritual connection is a vital part of being healthy.
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
Bruce McIver and the music. I joined in 1970 and again in 1976 after my time in India.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
Besides parish nurse, I’m a deacon and attend Women’s Bible Class. I’m a Stephen Ministry leader and manage our Support Team Ministry.
What’s surprised you most about Wilshire?
Openness to women and acceptance of all persons regardless of life status.
Tell us about your faith journey.
My faith has been important from childhood and has enabled me to do many of the things I have been privileged to do, such as being a missionary and teaching a Bible class.
What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I was one of the first three women deacons at Wilshire and was the first woman deacon chair.
What adjectives describe you?
Responsible and caring.
If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray