Background
The Mercy Health Ministry Program had its early beginnings at Mercy in 1993, when an ecumenical meeting of community members concluded there was overwhelming interest in Parish Nursing and Health Ministry. That led Mercy Healthcare to establish Health Ministry as a department within Mission Services. In 1995, Mercy joined forces with Lutheran Social Services to support the formation of a local chapter of the national Health Ministries Association (HMA). HMA is an international multi-faith membership organization, committed to encouraging, supporting and developing whole person ministries in places of worship and in communities they serve. What started in the Sacramento community with about 10 congregations has grown to more 90 faith communities involved with Mercy Health Ministry. There are 39 active trained parish nurses working in our local faith communities.
Many health ministry programs help their congregational members navigate the complex healthcare arena. An on-site parish nurse, for example, can help families coordinate all aspects of their care within their insurance guidelines, in addition to providing health information and monitoring, spiritual support and crisis intervention. The focus of health ministry is health promotion and disease prevention.
Mercy's role
Mercy has been a pioneer in our community in supporting health ministries, recognizing the value in treating healthcare on a holistic level - where mind, body and spirit are all integral to a person's well-being.
Mercy Health Ministry Coordinator Susan Carson provides information, coordination and resources to established health ministry programs throughout the region. She provides guidance and assistance to faith communities that express an interest in developing new programs. Susan supports parish nurses, who are specially trained to work in congregations. She also provides support to others on the health ministry team - which may include health professionals such as nurses, physicians, therapists and dietitians; lay people; and clergy.
Mercy Health Ministry offers both the healthcare system and local faith communities the opportunity to form a positive partnership for the good of the community. For more information, contact Susan Carson at (916) 851-2094, or you can send an e-mail to scarson@chw.edu.
Seeing the benefit
"People are very appreciative that they can come to a familiar place to have a nurse pray with them, help answer their medical questions and obtain preventative care they wouldn't necessarily seek otherwise. I've provided our congregation with everything from information on childhood immunizations, to classes for teens on sexually-transmitted diseases, to breast self-exam classes and blood pressure screenings."
Myrna West, RN, Parish Nurse
Divine Savior Catholic Church, Orangevale
(Myrna is also on staff in the Case Management department at
Mercy San Juan Medical Center)
