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Invitation to Intimacy book cover with Silver Nautilus Book Award Medal and Independent Publisher Book Awards Silver Medal

Invitation to Intimacy by Dr. Judy Tiesel-Jensen Wins Nautilus Book Award and IPPY Award

May 17, 2022

Congratulations to Dr. Judy Tiesel-Jensen! Invitation to Intimacy is a 2022 Nautilus Book Awards Winner in the Relationships & Communication Category and a 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) Silver Winner in the Relationships/Sexuality Category.

The prestigious Nautilus Awards recognize "Better Books for a Better World." We're in great company and cheering on the other winners in this category including Friendshipping from Workman Publishing, Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power by Brooke Baldwin from Harper Business, How to Communicate Effectively with Anyone, Anywhere from RedWheel Books, and Untangling You from Major Street Publishing.

The Independent Publisher Book Awards honor the year's best independently published titles from around the world. IPPYs are intended to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent, university, and self-published books released each year. Other winners in the category include Fifty First Dates After Fifty by Carolyn Lee Arnold (She Writes Press) and Emotional Magnetism: How to Communicate to Ignite Connection in Your Relationships by Sandy Gerber (Page Two Press).

Tags Dr. Judy Tiesel-Jensen, Nautilus Book Awards, Independent Publisher Book Awards, Invitation to Intimacy, Books for Couples, Brooke Baldwin
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The Hospice Doctor's Widow Wins Prestigious Nautilus Book Award

May 7, 2021

Jennifer O’Brien’s book, The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: A Journal, was honored with a Silver Award in the “Death & Dying/Grief & Loss” category. It was a winner among more than 550 entries from across the U.S.

About the Nautilus Awards

Over the last two decades, this unique program has gained global prestige. Awards are given for “exceptional literary contributions to spiritual growth, green values & sustainability, high-level wellness, responsible leadership and positive social change & social justice, as well as to the worlds of art, creativity and inspirational reading for children, teens and young adults.”

Past nautilus award recipients have come from a diverse range of writers and celebrated contributors, from meditation and well-being pioneer, Dr. Deepak Chopra, to South African cleric and human rights activist Desmond Tutu, to Barbara Kingsolver, and more.

Visit nautilusbooksawards.com for more information.

About the Book

In the book, O’Brien chronicles her 22-month journey caring for her husband, Bob Lehmberg, MD, who died of cancer in 2017. She takes readers through a personal and frank conversation about her own reality—the same reality facing millions of caregivers daily—through art and journaling.

Et Alia released the book in February 2020, just weeks before COVID-19 afflicted millions and shuttered businesses across the nation.

O’Brien notes that, even before COVID hit, about 53 million family caregivers spent up to 37 hours a week caring for loved ones facing death. She said the award validates the essential conversations surrounding end-of-life issues that need to occur more often.

“The conversations are especially important for those who are probably going to outlive the person they are providing care for,” she said. “This book is one attempt to help caregivers feel supported caring for others, while also taking care of themselves.”

O’Brien’s physician husband dedicated much of his 40-year career to caring for seriously ill and injured patients. Her book depicts the raw and exhausting truth of caregiving for him, simultaneously providing insights gleaned from his medical expertise on palliative care.

“Caregiving for someone you love who is going to die is both the hardest job you will ever do, and it is the greatest honor,” she said. “It is tough to balance those.”

Essential Facts About Caregiving in the U.S.

Caregiving takes a mental, emotional, and physical toll on millions of Americans each year. Statistics from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP Research Report May 2020 (pre COVID-19) reveal the following:

  •   There are 53 million uncompensated caregivers delivering care for other adults in the U.S.; 89% are caring for a relative and 72% are caring for spouse or parent.

  • The average caregiver is 49.5 years old; 3 in 5 are women.

  • An average of 37.4 hours per week of caregiving is delivered when the caregiver lives with the patient, while an average of almost 15 hours per week is given when not living with the care recipient.

  • The average duration of caregiving lasts 4.5 years (most until the care recipient’s death).

More about the author

Jennifer O’Brien is an author, artist, and speaker focused on sharing her experience with caregivers and survivors struggling after a loved one has died. She hopes to assist caregivers—the “ubiquitous, unsung heroes of our time”—and those who want to support them through honest discussions about end-of-life issues.

O’Brien’s comprehensive healthcare background includes work as a management consultant and physician educator for 30+ years, as well as serving in administration for major medical centers and as an executive administrator for large medical practices.

She presented at the 2020 University of Iowa School of Medicine Life Examined Conference and the 2020 Six Bridges Book Festival. Visit hospicedrswidow.com for more.

Tags Jennifer O'Brien, The Hospice Doctor's Widow, Nautilus Awards, Nautilus Book Awards, Palliative Care, Caregivers, Caregiving, Death and Dying, Grief Books, Deepak Chopra, Desmond Tutu, Barbara Kingsolver
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