September 8, 2006

MGH Chaplaincy Department honors new CPE graduates

Six chaplain interns from the MGH Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) summer 2006 program recently were honored at a graduation ceremony in the MGH Chapel. The group of theological students, seminarians and clergy successfully completed an 11-week course covering the art and discipline of pastoral care. The program included hands-on training, instructional presentations, theological reflection and clinical supervision. The graduation ceremony included prayers and readings from a diverse range of religious traditions followed by a presentation of certificates by the Rev. Angelika Zollfrank, CPE supervisor; Michael McElhinny, director of Chaplaincy; and Ann Daniels, executive director of Social Work and Chaplaincy.

From left, Phuc Nguyen, Jill Starkweather, Aaron White, Rev. Angelika Zollfrank, Leslie Hoffman, Rev. Thomas Mahoney and Katharine Gerne

The MGH Chaplaincy Department will offer the next Clinical Pastoral Education program in Jan. 2007. This upcoming program will be tailored towards health care providers who wish to integrate spiritual caregiving skills into their clinical practices. Members of all faiths and those of no religious affiliation are eligible to apply. Six fellowships will be awarded through funding from the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center. Two additional Spiritual Caregiver Fellowships will be available to MGH registered nurses who are direct caregivers and who have at least two years of nursing experience. The program begins Jan. 8 and concludes May 24. For more information, contact the Chaplaincy Department at (617) 726-4774.