Shore Health System recently began a new session of Clinical Pastoral Education with five chaplain interns. This advanced clinical and pastoral education program prepares clergy and lay caregivers for ministry with the sick and their families.
The national standard for certification as a hospital chaplain requires a minimum of four units of Clinical Pastoral Education. A unit consists of 400 hours of supervised ministry, didactic education and group process. The chaplain interns see patients and their families at all units of Shore Health System and apply their training in religious congregations out in the community.
Interns participating in this session of Clinical Pastoral Education are John Turner of Centreville, who is beginning his fourth unit of chaplain training; Gregory Ball of Cambridge, who is returning for his third unit of training; and Jody Gunn of Cordova, Jerome Tilghman of Cambridge and Mary Garner of Easton, who are continuing the program with their second unit of training. Participants, who are ordained ministers and lay people, receive specialized training in a healthcare setting that augments their general education in ministry. The program is scheduled so that local clergy may study while still serving their own congregations.
The Shore Health System Clinical Pastoral Education program is accredited by the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy. For more information about this program and the Shore Health System Chaplain Associate program, contact Brian Childs, PhD, Director of Ethics and Spiritual Care at 410-822-1000, extension 5259.