Leaders of the 6 U.S. Professional Healthcare Chaplaincy Organizations Hold Unprecedented Meeting to Advance the Integration of Spiritual Care within Healthcare

NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "A welcomed beginning of a broadening conversation" was the theme of a recent meeting hosted by HealthCare Chaplaincy Network in New York City, which brought together leaders of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Association of Professional Chaplains, College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, and National Association of Jewish Chaplains.

The six leaders affirmed their commitment to collaborate to expand the reach of professional chaplaincy and therefore serve more people in need of spiritual care.

Each remarked about the meeting and its implications.

Rev. Eric J. Hall, president and CEO of HealthCare Chaplaincy Network: "Individually each of our six organizations has its own strengths. Working collectively we can accomplish much more to contribute to quality healthcare in the U.S."

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education executive director Trace Haythorn: "Our field has matured to a place where we can move from focusing solely on what's happening within our individual organizations to a more global approach to advocacy on behalf of chaplaincy in general, to work to advance quality spiritual care wherever our members serve."

Association of Professional Chaplains CEO Patricia F. Appelhans: "From the Common Standards for Professional Chaplaincy, which form the basis for board certification, to Standards of Practice, our chaplaincy organizations have enjoyed a long history of collaboration. We look forward to our continued work together to advance the profession through research, advocacy and other projects of mutual interest."

George Hankins-Hull of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy: "As important as the discussion was the sincerity, and an overall feeling of collegiality that suggests to me that we might accomplish more working together through face to face relationships as we seek to advance the profession of clinical chaplaincy. I was delighted to have the opportunity to represent CPSP, as together our organizations strive to secure the best possible professional future for those we train, certify and credential."

Mary T. O'Neill, treasurer of the Board of National Association of Catholic Chaplains: "NACC is committed to promoting spiritual care in collaboration with other professional chaplaincy groups. It was evident that all shared a strong commitment to this profession, a conviction about its importance in the care for the whole person, an investment in making this care known and available to all who need it, and a willingness to work together." 

Cecille Asekoff, executive vice president, Neshama: National Association of Jewish Chaplains: "NAJC is committed to continued collaboration between all of the professional spiritual care organizations. The time spent together was productive both on an objective level of furthering the field of professional chaplaincy in a comprehensive and organic manner, as well as recognizing the diversity and uniqueness of each organization. Talking together on both formal and social levels will serve to strengthen professional pastoral/spiritual care and chaplaincy worldwide. We look forward to being part of the conversation."

The six groups will meet next in fall 2014.

Contact: Jim Siegel
[email protected]
212-644-1111 x141

SOURCE HealthCare Chaplaincy Network