The Faith Community Nurse Ministries of NY, Inc., an NYS Non-For-Profit organization, is governed by an Executive Board. The Executive Board/Board of Directors is elected by the members during the annual meeting each June. The Executive Board members are in good standing within the organization and have completed the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course.
Susie M. Gatewood MSN, FCN, CNL
Faith Community Nurse
Office
Co-President 2026-27
Background
Susie M. Gatewood is a registered nurse, faith community nurse, healthcare leader, self-published author, and passionate advocate for whole-person wellness. With more than 30 years of healthcare experience, she is committed to integrating faith, health, education, leadership, and advocacy to empower individuals and communities to care for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
Susie holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Nursing Leadership and Administration and currently serves as a Clinical Nurse Manager in School Health Services. Her diverse nursing experience includes long-term care, medical-surgical and acute care nursing, case management, and school health. She is also a Certified Faith Community Nurse and a Certified John Maxwell Team Member. Proud active member of Rochester’s Black Nurses Association and NCNW Metropolitans Women’s Network.
As Co-President of Faith Community Nursing Ministries, Susie is passionate about strengthening the ministry of faith community nursing, equipping nurses and faith communities to promote health and wellness, and encouraging individuals to become confident advocates for themselves and their loved ones.
She is the author of Medical Team of One: GOD the Great Physician, a testimony of faith, healthcare, and God’s presence through a life-changing medical crisis. Susie is also the Founder of Heart and Hands of Grace Collective and Co-Founder of Sisterly
Divine Sow and Strive FCN, LLC.
At the heart of Susie’s work is her belief that God gives each person a purpose. Through nursing, leadership, education, ministry, and service, she strives to educate, empower, inspire, and serve, helping others recognize their God-given purpose while embracing whole-person wellness.
Carol Mathner, MSN, RN
Faith Community Nurse
Office
Co-President 2026-2027
Background
Carol has been involved in patient care for 44 years, starting on the medical floor and the ICU. The past
38 years in home health care, 30 of those years as Clinical Manager. This sparked an interest in becoming a Faith Community Nurse. In 2014 Carol took the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing
to become an FCN. She became the FCN at her parish, St. Benedict’s R.C. where she was active in other
parish ministries. From 2015 to 2022 Carol was FCNMNY’s Spiritual Coordinator providing prayer and
support to its members in times of wellness and illness (body and soul) and offering retreats. In the
past 2 years, she has assisted in teaching for the Foundations of Faith Nursing.
Education
Carol received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY in 1980.
She received her Master of Arts in Theology from Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, NY in 1997.
MS. BERTHA DAVIS BSN-RN
Faith Community Nurse
Office
Secretary 2026-2027
Background
Bertha Davis is a dedicated and accomplished Registered Nurse with more than 30 years of experience serving the Rochester community. Her healthcare journey began as a nursing assistant, where her passion for patient care inspired her to pursue further education and a lifelong career in nursing. Bertha attended the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center at SUNY Brockport, earning her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license. Driven by a desire to expand her clinical knowledge and professional opportunities, Bertha continued her education and earned an Associate Degree in Nursing from Monroe Community College, becoming a Registered Nurse. Her commitment to lifelong learning led her to further advance her education by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Roberts Wesleyan College in 2015. Today, Bertha serves as a Clinical Nurse Manager with School Health Services at Monroe One BOCES. In this role, she has the unique privilege of giving back to the Rochester City School District, her alma mater, by supporting the health, safety, and well-being of students throughout the community. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Bertha remains deeply committed to community service and health advocacy. She is an active member of the Rochester Black Nurses Association, the National Council of Negro Women (MWN), and Faith Community Nurse Ministries of New York, where she serves as a Faith Community Nurse. Through these organizations, she participates in Christian health ministries and works to promote health education, wellness, and equitable access to healthcare resources.
“Caring for others is not only my profession, it is my calling.”
Deborah C. Hall
Faith Community Nurse
Office
Treasurer 2026-2027
Background
Deborah has been in health care for 48 years in a variety of roles, as a Nurse Administrator, Home Health Nurse, PACU Nurse and Military Nurse.
Deborah is currently a clinical instructor/professor at two local nursing schools.
Deborah became a Faith Community Nurse in 2016 and has spearheaded and supported health care activities and education at her church.
Deborah is a member of the National Black Nurses Association, the Parish Nurse Ministries of NY, the Professional Nurses Association of NY and Literacy Buffalo Niagara.
Lucinda Phillips RN, MSN
Faith Community Nurse
Office
Current Spiritual Coordinator 2026-2027
Past offices held
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
Member of FCNMNY since 2008
Education
Completed Foundations in Faith Community Nursing course in 2009. Completed the Faith Community Nursing Education training, 2015-2022 Joined the other educators for PNMNY in providing the Foundations in Faith Community Nursing Program to other nurses in WNY and beyond.
Work
Retired. Past work outside of Faith Community Nursing: Millard Suburban Hospital, Island Peer Review Organization (IPRO)-Medicare chart reviews, Frontier Science Research Foundation, D’Youville University
Congregation
New Light Christian Church, Buffalo, NY, a primarily Burmese/Karen refugee congregation on the Buffalo West Side.