Shore Health’s Clinical Pastoral Education program recently welcomed four new interns. The program, now in its 15th year, prepares Eastern Shore clergy and lay ministers for their work with Shore Health staff, patients and their family members.

Learning under the direction of the program supervisor, Reverend David G. Berg of Annapolis, chaplain interns include: Maggie Mayo, Easton; Arnold Bienstock, Salisbury; Holly Wright. St. Michaels; and Joyce Phillips, Millington.

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 consult with patients and their families at all Shore Health System facilities, including the Memorial Hospital at Easton, Dorchester General Hospital in Cambridge and Shore Regional Cancer Center in Easton. The trainees apply their learning in religious congregations out in the community.

Ordained ministers and lay people who participate in clinical pastoral education receive specialized training that augments their general education in ministry. The program is designed so that local clergy may study while continuing to serve their own congregations.

Offered in three sessions each year, 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, 410-822-1000 or 410-228-5511, extension 5259.

In photo: Shore Health System recently welcomed four new chaplain interns in Clinical Pastoral Education. Shown are (l. to r.) Rev. David Berg, supervisor of the program, with chaplain interns Maggie Mayo, Easton; Arnold Bienstock, Salisbury; and Holly Wright, St. Michaels. At far right is Brian H. Childs, PhD, director of Ethics and Spiritual Care for Shore Health System. Not pictured is Joyce Phillips, chaplain intern from Millington, Md.