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SAN DIEGO -- A collection of seven chaplains, both Navy and civilian, graduated from the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) course, Sept. 14, 2018.
The Navy graduates were Lt. Benjamin Box, Lt. Cmdr. Chad Hamilton, Lt. Cmdr. Dru Nelson and Lt. David Wooten, and the VA graduates were Scott Nelson, Tommy Nguyen, and Timothy Rietkerk.
The inaugural course through VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) is independently accredited from the Association of Chaplains’ Pastoral Education, The Department of Education-recognized authority for the development of educational programs designed for hospital chaplains. Over the course of a year, candidates must spend 1,600 hours of structured group and individual supervision and instruction, along with clinical practice, development of educational material relating to their clinical work, self-evaluations and an evidence-based final project.
Rev. Michelle Kirby, a VA chaplain, CPE supervisor and an ACPE Certified Educator, says that the primary function of the course is providing chaplains with a greater ability to minister to a plurality of faiths, which is generally unique to hospital and military chaplains.
“Generally, clergy are trained in a seminary or theological school to provide pastoral care to a specific faith group,” she said. “Hospital chaplains are trained to provide care in an intense clinical environment to all faith groups.”
Navy chaplains, who are required to provide religious and spiritual care to all Sailors and Marines at their commands are similarly trained, but the hospital environment is somewhat different than either the base or the battlefield.
“CPE trained chaplains learn how their personal stories and theologies influence their pastoral care,” Kirby said, alluding to the singularity of faith generally experienced by members of the clergy outside of a military setting. They learn “specific skills required for the clinical environment such as charting and assessment, as well as skills for engaging with complex interdisciplinary teams.”
During his address to the graduating class, Capt. Guy Lee, the Navy Medicine West chaplain, pointed out the complexities of being a hospital chaplain. Specifically, he pointed out ‘CPE-trained chaplains would be able to provide pastoral care in an environment where people are coping with disease, injury and their own mortality.’
Dr. Elaine Muchmore, the chief of staff for education at VASDHS , spoke about where the hospital chaplain fits in with a more holistic approach to health care and the benefits of an interdisciplinary team which works in unison to heal mind, body and spirit.
“When you go out to your new commands,” Lee said, “make sure you spread the word about what we’ve done here. You’ve seen for yourselves what a difference a specially-trained chaplain can do in this environment, and it’s time for you to spread the good news about CPE.”
For more information on Naval Medical Center San Diego, visit, www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcsd/Pages/default.aspx, www.facebook.com/nmcsd or www.twitter.com/NMC_SD.
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2018 17:28 |
| Story ID: | 294546 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 154 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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