RECOGNITION AND LEADERSHIP

The year 2000 marked several awards and appointments that acknowledge The HealthCare Chaplaincy’s position as a leader in pastoral care, education, and research.

The Rev. Dr. Carolyn Yard conducts a weekly prayer service for patients, family, and staff in the Interfaith Chapel at New York-Presbyterian Hospitals. The chapel was recently restored by former Chaplaincy trustee William T. Stubenbord, M.D. and his family.

The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) has recognized two senior staff members of The HealthCare Chaplaincy for their visionary leadership. The Rev. George F. Handzo, recently appointed as The Chaplaincy’s first director of clinical services, was named president-elect of the APC. And for the second time in a decade, The Chaplaincy was given the organization’s Distinguished Service Award. The Rev. Dr. Walter J. Smith, S.J., The Chaplaincy’s CEO, received the award for his key leadership in articulating the benefits of clinical pastoral care for patients and their families. In accepting the award, Father Smith announced that The Chaplaincy would share a special $25,000 grant it received from the Starr Foundation with the APC to help broaden its membership, particularly among underrepresented ethnic and religious groups.

The Association of Professional Chaplains’ (APC) Distinguished Service Award, given to The Rev. Dr. Walter J. Smith, S.J.

Fulfilling another leadership role in the field of professional chaplaincy, Father Smith was appointed to the board of directors of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC). The organization cites his outstanding research efforts and his ability to find new ways to manage the role of spirituality in the dynamic healthcare economy among the many assets he brings to the NACC.

The Rev. George Handzo (r.) provides supervision to Rabbi Jeffery Silberman, director of pastoral care and education at Beth Israel Medical Center

The pastoral care community has also recognized several of our chaplains for their compassionate work in healthcare ministry. Rabbi Stephen Roberts,
staff chaplain at New York-Presbyterian Hospitals, was appointed to the five-member executive leadership of the National Red Cross Air Disaster Response Team—Spiritual Care. The Rev. Jon Overvold of Florence Nightingale Health Center was appointed convener for the Area Inter-Lutheran (SPC) Consultation Committee, which advises candidates seeking endorsement for ministry in specialized pastoral care. New York State Senator Marty Markowitz presented the Rev. Dr. Carolyn O. Yard of New York-Presbyterian Hospitals with the “Women of Excellence” award in conjunction with the Philadelphia Sabbath Cathedral. The Rev. Dr. Yard also garnered an Achiever’s Award from the Baptist Minister’s Wives for her work at the Rose M. Singer Center, the Riker’s Island facility for women.

Chaplains John Bucchino and Amy Henegar

BRIDGE TO HEALTHCARE STAFf Ministering to healthcare staff is an integral part of our chaplains’ work. At Lenox Hill Hospital, Chaplains John Bucchino and Amy Henegar hold bimonthly support sessions for the cardiac care staff to help them process their feelings about working with the seriously ill and patients at the end of life. They encourage all staff members to share their frustrations, and engage them in whatever spiritual method they might take comfort in. "Sometimes, we encourage them just to take five seconds and breathe," the Rev. Bucchino said, " or they’ll ask us to say a little prayer for them, to bless them. My feeling has always been that if we connect with the staff, that will have the greatest impact on the patients," he said.