Winter 2011 Newsletter

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The Rewarding Road from Nursing
Educator to Parish Nurse

 

Carolyn Thielman, RN brings her experience as a nursing educator and director of Maternal Child Services at Toledo Hospital to her current role as the Parish Nurse at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Toledo.   Carolyn obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Education Degree in Guidance and Counseling.  Following retirement Carolyn joined a Bible Fellowship Course and decided that she wanted to find a way to use her knowledge and skills as a nurse in her church community.  This led Carolyn to explore the role of a parish nurse (faith community nurse).

 

To prepare for this new role as a parish nurse, Carolyn spoke to the pastor of her church, completed the Basic Parish Nurse Education course, and attended the annual Seminars offered by the Faith Community Health Ministry Program of NWO.  She also joined the Parish Nurse Association (PNA) of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.  As a faithful member of the Parish Nurse Association for over 15 years, she has learned a great deal from other parish nurses and program presenters.    Carolyn has held many varied positions on the PNA Board and has been instrumental in moving parish nursing forward in Northwest Ohio.  

 

In her church Carolyn visits the parishioners that are sick, frail or elderly in hospitals and nursing homes and in their own homes.   Four Registered Nurses in the church have joined Carolyn in the effort to meet the physical, social, spiritual and health needs of the parishioners.   Carolyn has an office in the church and is available every Sunday to meet with parishioners to discuss any issues.  Once a month blood pressure screenings are offered at the church.  Of course, Carolyn always has her blood pressure cuff with her and is more than willing to take the blood pressure of a concerned parishioner.  Carolyn believes that the blood pressure screenings are a wonderful way to get to know people, assess their health, medications and to develop trust.  

 

Carolyn publishes an article in the church newsletter once a month on health related issues. Carolyn also provides transportation to doctor’s appointments if needed.  Once a month Carolyn picks up the people from her congregation who are unable to attend church on their own.   She brings them to church for a special communion service, bible study and fellowship.  The people appreciate her visits where they reside but they especially enjoy the opportunity to actually return to the church for a service and fellowship. 

 

Carolyn believes she is serving the Lord by helping others and is grateful to be the one that is able to help the people.   The people in the church feel comforted knowing that the help is coming from their church.  




International Parish Nurse Resource Center on the Move

 

Since 1986, the IPNRC has been a voice in parish nurse education, consultation and research.  It serves parish nurses and nursing programs in the United States and abroad. The late Rev. Dr. Granger Westberg, was the founder of the parish nurse movement in Chicago.    The first home where IPNRC was founded and thrived for 15 years was the Lutheran General Hospital in Chicago. The second home of the parish nurse movement was in St. Louis, where for the past ten years the IPNRC was generously supported by the Deaconess Foundation.   

 

The IPNRC is in the process of moving to Memphis,TN to become an integral part of the Church Health Center (CHC). The Church Health Center became a reality in 1988. CHC has educated more that 1,000 lay leaders  to serve in faith communities.  Over the past 24 years CHC has cared for 70,000 working but uninsured people.  CHC has also developed congregational resources and curricula addressing health and wellness issues.   They provide comprehensive medical care with a goal to focus more on prevention than on  treatment.Both IPNRC and the CHC are committed to health ministry and see the move of the IPNRC to CHC as an

opportunity to work together to improve the physical, mental and spiritual health of the people they serve.


Rev. Scott Morris MD is the Executive Director and Founder of the CHC.   The inspiration to start CHC came to Rev. Morris when he read a pamphlet written by Rev Granger Westberg entitled “How to Start a Church based Health Clinic”.  

Rev. Scott Morris and the staff at CHC look forward with humility and honor to lending support to the IPNRC. He believes that partnering with IPNRC will further the ever growing movement to make faith communities places of hope and healing.

Update on Faith Community Nursing
Scope and Standards of Practice 2nd Edition


In September 2011, The American Nurses Association Board of Directors approved the changes in the Faith Community Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice 2nd Edition submitted by the Health Ministry Association (HMA).  The document is now at the printers and will be available for purchase from HMA in early 2012.

Healthy U and Healthy U Diabetes

It's never too late to learn how to be healthy

 

The Area Office on Aging Northwest Ohio Chapter is offering to bring an Evidenced -based educational  program to your congregation or community .  Two trained facilitators will lead individuals with different chronic health problems in an interactive workshop for 2 ½ hours a week for six weeks. Participants learn how to deal with symptoms, handle frustration, design their own self-management program and coordinate all aspects of their health management. To learn more about this exciting educational opportunity for your faith community contact Rebecca Liebes at the Area Office on Aging: 419 725 6969 

Email: rliebes@areaofficeonaging.com

 

Friends of the Faith Community Health Ministry Program of Northwest Ohio (HMP)

 

The Board of HMP is grateful to each person and organization who  by donating became a friend of HMP in 2010.   Your donation assisted the Board in reaching out to new faith communities that are interested in starting and sustaining Health Ministry Programs.

 

The Board is requesting you to consider contributing to the Friends Campaign in 2011-2012.   HMP is a non-profit organization that depends on your donations.  Your tax-free donations may be sent to:

 

Faith Community Health Ministry Program of Northwest Ohio

P. O. Box 1262

Bowling Green, Ohio 43402

 

Thank you for your past support and for your continued support.  Working together we will be able to make a difference in the health and well being of the congregations in our region.

 

Friends of HMP Fall 2011

 

Ann Achinger

 

Barbara I Billmaier

 

Patricia Boynton

 

Maumee Valley Presbytery

 

Mercy

 

 

A Newsletter of the Faith Community Health Ministry Program of Northwest Ohio

Sponsored by

Blessed Sacrament Church, Toledo

Maumee Valley Presbytery

Mercy 

ProMedica Health System

Mercy St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center Foundation

Sylvania United Church of Christ

Toledo Area Ministries

West Central Ohio Health Ministries 

Editor

Mary Jane Fulcher, RN, MSN

419 262 1462

Lfulcher@wcnet.org

P. O. Box 1262, 

Bowling Green, OH 43402

Web site www.cnpnwo.org

http://cnpnwoblog.blogspot.com/