Partners in Caring Highlights

Chaplaincy Briefs

Rabbi Zahara Davidowitz-Farkas (Jack D. Weiler Chaplaincy) and The Rev. George Handzo (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) co-authored a chapter entitled "Using Religious Resources in Clinical Ministry," which appears in The Guide to Pastoral Counseling and Care, Gary Ahlskog and Harry Sands, editors. (To order, call International Universities Press at 1-800-835-3487 or email: orders@iup.com.) Chaplain Handzo also was selected to receive the 1999 Greenwich Scouter Award for his service as Scoutmaster for Troop 11.

The Rev. Stephen Harding (Beth Israel Medical Center) presented "Spirituality: Assessment, Intervention, and Outcome in Pain Medicine, Palliative Care, and Hospice Patients" to some 120 clinicians, pharmaceutical industry representatives, and patient care volunteers at the Phillips Ambulatory Care Center of Beth Israel.

The Rev. Curtis W. Hart (New York-Presbyterian Hospital) presented "Flanders Dunbar, John Dewey, and Clinical Pragmatism: Reflections on Method in Psychosomatic Medicine and Bioethics" as part of a symposium reviewing the significance of the work of Helen Flanders Dunbar at the Tenth Anniversary Meeting of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy in Virginia Beach, VA.

Imam Yusuf H. Hasan (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) organized the hospital's first-ever Ramadan celebration for young patients, family members, and staff of all faiths, held at the Day Hospital Play Room. After prayers and a brief introduction to the Muslim holiday, Imam Hasan distributed gifts to the children. The gifts were donated by Masjid Malcolm Shabazz, Sister Clara Muhammad Elementary School, and El Mundo department store.

In April, Imam Hasan and Chaplain Trudi Jinpu Hirsch (Beth Israel Medical Center) participated in a panel discussion, "Integration of Culture and Religion in End of Life Care," as part of a three-day conference on palliative care for advanced cancer patients, sponsored by the Palliative Care Institute of Calvary Hospital.

The Rev. Maria Lopez (Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center) was married to Juan Velez, on February 12 at Park Avenue Christian Church, where she was recently named a church elder. She was also a guest speaker at St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church at a prayer service with and for people living with HIV/AIDS, their loved ones, and caregivers.

Chaplain Amy Jean Manierre (New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Westchester Division) presented "Helen Flanders Dunbar's Psychosomatic Approach and its Relation to Clinical Pragmatism in Bioethics" at the annual meeting of the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy. She also organized a breakfast meeting for clergy and mental health professionals entitled "Practical Solutions for Responding to the Challenging Congregant." More than 30 clergy from many denominations attended, as well as clinical staff from the hospital. Chaplain Barbara G. Yeager (New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Westchester Division) gave the invocation.

Sister Margaret Oettinger, O.P. (Hospital for Special Surgery) co-leads a twice-monthly "Community Spiritual Health Support Group" offered to patients and family members. She also gave a presentation on spiritual interventions and coping with chronic illness as part of a workshop on "Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis."

The Rev. Stephen W. Overall (Griffin Hospital) organized the hospital's first annual Community Clergy Appreciation Luncheon, attended by more than 50 Connecticut religious leaders in February. The keynote speaker was the hospital's president and CEO, Patrick Charmel. The Rev. Jon Overvold (Florence Nightingale Health Center) was appointed Convener for the Area Inter-Lutheran (SPC) Consultation Committee, which provides consultation for candidates seeking endorsement for ministry in Specialized Pastoral Care.

Sister Rosarine Quinn, CSJ (The New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens) was inducted into the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) at their meeting in February.

Rabbi Stephen H. Shulman (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) was on the faculty of the 3-day Spar Institute for Rabbinic Leadership at The Jewish Theological Seminary, presenting a workshop entitled "Tefillah (Prayer) at the Bedside: Prayer Experiences for Hospital Patients."

The French government awarded William G. Spears, chairman of The Chaplaincy's board of trustees, the Ordre des Palmes Académique, rank of Chevalier, in recognition of his dedication to education; his promotion of the study of French language, literature, and culture; and his generous support of the Henri Peyre Institute for the Humanities of the Graduate Center, CUNY.

Rabbi Bonita E. Taylor (Jewish Institute for Pastoral Care) led a workshop on "Spirituality in Our Daily Lives" at Temple Shalom in Norwalk, CT.

The Rev. Dr. Carolyn O. Yard (New York-Presbyterian Hospital) was presented a "Women of Excellence" award by New York State Senator Marty Markowitz in conjunction with the Philadelphia Sabbath Cathedral, New York. She also garnered an Achiever's Award from the Baptist Minister's Wives for her prison ministry in the Rose M. Singer Center, the Riker's Island facility for women.