Bayhealth celebrates clinical pastoral education program graduates

Bayhealth’s Chaplaincy Services recently celebrated the first graduating class of its clinical pastoral education program, whose members are eligible for board certification. Of the six graduates, three are continuing their clinical pastoral care career by working to become board-certified chaplains.

Bayhealth is one of two hospitals in Delaware that offers a clinical pastoral education program to qualified community members. “It is a wonderful addition to the services we provide at Bayhealth. Since we have clinically trained chaplains, spiritual care can now become a more integral part of the treatment team,” said the Rev. Dr. Carol Boggerty, director of chaplaincy services at Bayhealth.

Michael Ashton, MPH, FACHE, administrator of Bayhealth Sussex Campus and vice president of operations, was the graduation keynote speaker. He discussed the importance of remembering to serve the whole patient and pointed out Bayhealth’s support of CPE and chaplaincy services.

Palliative Care Nurse Loretta Higgins, GNP-BC, was also in attendance and shared a moving moment in which chaplaincy services assisted her daughter during a critical stage in her disease process.

Members of the accreditation review committee for Bayhealth’s CPE program were able to meet with CPE students, Bayhealth nursing staff and staff chaplains. After touring facilities and assessing the educational offerings, the committee granted final accreditation to Bayhealth’s CPE program.

“Healthcare and spiritual care can go hand in hand. Having clinically trained chaplains makes Bayhealth a well-rounded, full-service facility. As the industry continues to grow, and as healthcare recognizes the need for spiritual and pastoral care at an even greater level, I am grateful that Bayhealth continues to support our programming and invest in the need for this service to our families and our staff,”  said Boggerty.

To learn more or apply, go to Bayhealth.org/Clinical-Pastoral-Education.