Jay Ruiz
No One Dies Alone.
My calling started with my mom. I was with her through cancer treatment and hospice. Sitting beside her—talking, crying, or simply holding her hand—showed me how powerful steady presence can be. It was love. It was witnessing someone with your whole heart. Those moments shaped me and planted a seed I could not ignore. No one should face this part of life feeling unseen or alone.
That experience guides my work today. As an End of Life Doula, I show up with compassion, calm, and an open heart. I walk with individuals and families during one of life’s most tender chapters, offering support that meets them where they are. My approach is not clinical or rushed. It is human. It is sitting together, listening, and honoring stories, fears, hopes, and everything in between.
My presence is grounded in mindfulness and deep listening. I make space for connection, reflection, and release. This may include legacy work, planning for the end of life, sitting vigil, tending to emotions, or making sure a beloved pet is cared for. When welcomed and always guided by clear consent, this can also include gentle, appropriate touch—something as simple as holding a hand or sitting close in a moment that feels uncertain.
I’m also a Compassionate Touch & Presence Practitioner™ and the founder of the Compassionate Touch & Presence Certification Training™ program, where I teach safe, consent-based, platonic touch and the practice of being fully present with another person. This work is deeply connected to my role as a doula—rooted in respect, boundaries, and the quiet power of simply being there.
My intention remains the same. I bring comfort, clarity, and dignity to each unique journey. All emotions belong here—fear, anger, relief, confusion, numbness, and love. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Often, what we need most is not advice, but someone steady in the room. Someone who will not turn away.
At the heart of my work is a simple promise:
I see you. I honor what you’re feeling. You do not have to travel this part of the path alone.
Whether you’re processing a diagnosis, sitting with someone you love, or trying to find your footing after a loss, you deserve support that feels gentle, present, and real. It would be my honor to walk beside you.
The Work We Do
Tanisha Bowman, MSW, LSW, APHSW-C, NEDA Proficient, is a death doula based in Pittsburgh, PA, and a full-time palliative care social worker in a small rural healthcare system. With the support of her dedicated palliative care team, she integrates her passion for death care and open conversations about dying into a traditionally medicalized environment. Her expertise spans multiple areas of end-of-life care, making her a sought-after voice in the field.