Each year at the Eisenhower Medical Center, an American top 100 hospital in Rancho Mirage, California, a pastoral care training program entitled “Introduction to Hospital Ministry” is provided both for candidates wishing to join the Pastoral Services program at the hospital, as well as faith community representatives who provide outreach to persons hospitalized at the other desert hospitals. “The program is open to both clergy and laity” said Reverend Vincent McMorrow-Purcell who heads up the Department of Pastoral Services at the Eisenhower Medical Center.
Father Vincent is a priest in the Charismatic Episcopal Church - Diocese of the West, he is known locally in the Coachella Valley as “The Desert Chaplain” or “Chappy” to his team members and hospital staff. He is also the Vicar at Christ Church Charismatic Episcopal Church, mission church plant in Palm Springs, California. Originally from Ireland, Father Vincent arrived in the California desert ten years ago from London, England where he had been serving in healthcare ministry in a London University teaching hospital and also in an inner city parish.
“On average, we train and graduate about 30-40 people each year” said Chaplain Vincent, adding “The significance of spiritual well being in the whole person healing process is now very well documented and journalled. At Eisenhower Medical Center we have an urgency that spiritual care providers are well prepared for bedside ministry. This program is an ideal vocational and practical alternative to the academic and professional CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) programs which not everyone willing to serve is able to commute to or pay for the tuition in order to pursue serving the Lord in the sick and hurting hospitalized.”
Susie Tatum, a member of the Southwest Community Church (Evangelical Free Church located in affluent Indian Wells, California) has been serving on the Pastoral Services team at Eisenhower Medical Center with Father Vincent for almost five years and said “The training programs provided by Father Vincent and the Pastoral Services at Eisenhower Medical Center are outstanding and have made me completely aware of the protocol, policies and codes used in healthcare ministry today. As a result, I have confidence in knowing how to visit, comfort and assess the spiritual condition of each patient. Patients are grateful for the visits and the opportunity to share about themselves, their family and what they are experiencing as a patient in the hospital. Each visit is a blessing.”
A new training program for Faith Representatives will be offered this Winter, which is currently open for registration. Further information available direct from the Department of Pastoral Services at Eisenhower Medical Center - telephone (760) 773 1817
