Constance A. Morrison
DNP JD MBA CNS-PMHNP BC FAANP
Attorney, Psychotherapist, Doctor of Nursing, Forensic Scientist, Educator, Consultant, Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

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News Clippings

The following are just a few of the many news clippings about Constance A. Morrison RN., J.D.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Counselor recalls unrivaled trauma
CONSTANCE A. MORRISON, CRISIS EXPERT

By Linda Bock TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
lbock@telegram.com

Nurse practitioner-psychotherapist Constance A. Morrison said it is extremely healthy to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. fire by remembering the men who lost their lives, as well as their families, firefighters and the entire community.

“Those wonderful, wonderful men, we’ll never forget them,” Ms. Morrison said. “It was such a sad event. You know, some days it feels like yesterday, and on other days, it seems like 100 years ago.”

Ms. Morrison worked 16- to 20-hour shifts as the crisis expert and volunteer director of the local American Red Cross, counseling the city’s firefighters and family members throughout the first couple of weeks after the blaze, and she has traveled extensively throughout the world as an American Red Cross volunteer to help in numerous disasters.

“As much trauma as I’ve seen in the world, and as much trauma as I had in my life, this was the most traumatic,” Ms. Morrison said of the warehouse fire. “This was in my own city.”

On that frigid night of the fire, Ms. Morrison counseled families and firefighters in St. Stephen’s Church on Hamilton Street, a short distance from where she lived at the time. Ms. Morrison grew up in the neighborhood and attended St. Stephen’s high school.

Since that time, Ms. Morrison also has experienced loss. Her husband — and soul mate — Paul W. Shapter Jr., died in her arms at 6:05 p.m. Aug. 6, 2008. The couple were married 22 years, and traveled the world together, often as American Red Cross volunteers. He was by her side the night of the fire, doling out hot coffee and warm blankets, and in New York City after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The couple worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the federal government’s Department of Homeland Security. Tom Ridge, the first secretary of Homeland Security, honored Ms. Morrison March 1, 2003, in Washington, D.C., as a founding member.

“He was my support during that time,” Ms. Morrison said. “He got me through it.”

Ms. Morrison, who remains committed to the American Red Cross, frequently lectures and teaches on advanced nursing practices, disaster preparedness, forensic science and risk management strategies around the world now. She traveled to Turkey in October, and left for Singapore Nov. 15. Her next trip will be to India.

“I came to where I am now to find some peace; I do a lot of work with children now,” said Ms. Morrison, who lives in Plymouth, N.H. “I always look to find the meaning in life.”


Offers of aid help city cope with grief
(© 1999 Worcester Telegram & Gazette)

Helping hands ease the grief

Sunday, December 5, 1999

By Carol McDonald
Telegram & Gazette Staff

WORCESTER-- All day, people gathered and stared at the smoldering, graceless old building. Flags flew at half-staff in sooty air, and friends and strangers moved among one another with a sad understanding that was beyond words. 

 

Counselors offer hugs, sympathy
Thursday, December 9, 1999
(© 1999 Worcester Telegram & Gazette)

By Shaun Sutner
Telegram & Gazette Staff

WORCESTER-- Constance A. Morrison has counseled victims of a typhoon in Guam, and she was in Rhode Island last month to aid family members after the EgyptAir crash.

But the crisis expert and volunteer director of the American Red Cross counseling team has never been affected in quite the same way by a tragedy as she was by the one last week in her own neighborhood, in her own city. More...

 

NEWS Friday, December 21, 2001

Sept. 11 trauma still oppressive

Local couple to spend holidays at Ground Zero

By KRISTA MARRS
Staff Writer

LACONIA — Helping others in their time of need is what the American Red Cross is all about. This holiday season, Constance Morrison and her husband will travel to Ground Zero in New York City to help those still suffering the impacts of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. 

 


NEWS Thursday, December 27, 2001
Solace in the midst of woe

Local Red Cross official

By MARK WILLETT
Staff Writer

NEW YORK — "This is the most overwhelming, most destructive event I have ever seen," said Constance A. Morrison sitting in a makeshift office a few blocks from the rubble of the World Trade Center. "No amount of experience in all of my years could ever have prepared my husband or myself for what we’ve seen, what we’ve handled and what we do. The heartache is overwhelming."

 

News - January 5, 2002


Volunteers moved by
spirit and pain
in New York City

By DALE VINCENT
Union Leader Staff

Constance Morrison and her husband, Paul Shapter, have been disaster relief volunteers in the wake of typhoons and hurricanes, but the experiences paled in comparison to their stint just ended in New York City, helping victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. 

 

 
NEWS Saturday, March 16, 2002
Gov. honors Red Cross workers who responded to Ground Zero

Morrison, Shapter aided victims of terrorist attacks

CONCORD — Constance Morrison has responded to floods, fires, typhoons, and tornadoes. She has traveled to Guam, Puerto Rico and around the world. 

   
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 PSU to offer class for health care pros

Beginning this fall Plymouth State University will be offering a online class for health care professionals aimed at gaining awareness of health care and its laws.  (more information)