June 1, 2007

CPE graduates learn the spiritual side of care

On May 24, the MGH Chaplaincy celebrated the art of spiritual and compassionate caregiving as the department honored the seven most recent graduates of the MGH Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for Healthcare Professionals program. The program — open to students from both the MGH and other organizations — prepares health care providers to meet the religious and spiritual needs of patients through hands-on training, mentorship, seminars, written work and reflection.

During the ceremony, the graduates led the audience in readings, prayers and songs from a diverse range of religious traditions. Graduates including Heather Ann Carlson, RN, of Bigelow 11, also shared their reflections on the CPE program. "Through the CPE program, the care we give our patients has become more sacred, and we have been able to have deeper, more meaningful relationships with them," said Carlson. "In learning how to assess our patients' pirituality, swe have begun to explore our own."

The graduation concluded with a presentation of certificates by Rev. Angelika Zollfrank, director of CPE; Michael McElhinny, MDiv, director of the Chaplaincy; and Ann Daniels, LICSW, PhD, executive director of Social Services and Chaplaincy. The graduates are Carlson; Lynda Gillan, CRNA, of Anesthesia and Critical Care; Virginia Jones, RN, of Radiology; Anne Marie Kaune, NP, of the Homeless Outreach Project; Marion Parker, RN, of Phillips 20; Alyssa Rosen, Harvard Medical School student; and Nancy Strong, MSW, of Hallmark Health Home Care.

Back row, from left, Gillan, Parker, Rosen, Carolson and Zollfrank. Front row, from left, Kaune, Jones and Strong