FOUNDATION NEWS
Caring for the Spirit
Philanthropy funds specialized Pastoral Care residency
hey come in times of a patient ’ s greatest need to serve an important part of the patient that no one can see or measure : their spirit .
While there is some debate as to how they cleverly hide their angel wings , there is no doubt that the chaplains of Baylor Scott & White Health are making a difference every day . In providing spiritual care for patients , family members and also
Mike Mullender staff , chaplains in Mission and Ministry conduct more than 300,000 visits annually at
28 Baylor Scott & White sites .
“ Baylor Scott & White was founded as a Christian ministry of healing ,” said Mike Mullender , chief mission and ministry officer at Baylor Scott & White . “ Seeking the well-being of all people who come to us is central to our mission . Spiritual care and pastoral care really help to keep the care of the whole person at the center of everything we do .” Chaplains on staff bring support and spiritual resources to their visits and empower staff to bring their own spiritual resources to the care they provide daily to encourage care for the whole person , Mullender explained .
The mission doesn ’ t stop there : Baylor Scott & White also conducts an accredited clinical pastoral education ( CPE ) program to prepare clergy for the demands of ministry in the healthcare setting . Experienced professional chaplains are adjunct faculty who serve the educational and spiritual needs of more than 90 students , most of whom have master ’ s degrees in divinity , during one-year residencies . CPE supervisors shepherd residents through hands-on experiences and assist in their professional growth . The program has trained more than 1,100 ministers from 18 denominations and 15 countries spanning five continents .
Chaplain Millicent Albert
“ It ’ s the multidisciplinary equivalent of a physician ’ s residency ,” Mullender explained . CPE residents are part of the team that provides care to Baylor Scott & White patients , families and staff 24 hours a day , including weekends . After graduation , many residents choose to apply for positions at Baylor Scott & White , and some also go on to high-ranking positions with other accredited pastoral care programs across the US .
Philanthropy helps support pastoral care services and education , both of which are core to the Baylor Scott & White mission : “ A gift here , at our accredited institution , multiplies good spiritual care in a way that no other gift can — and not just at home in our system , but everywhere we and our graduates can make the world a better place ,” said Mullender .
Serving Families in Specialized Pastoral Care Residency Program Dedicated chaplains celebrate the joy and help families find meaning in the grief .
At Baylor Scott & White , a very special Pastoral Care Residency program has become part of the program ’ s education to train chaplains in the support of mothers and families welcoming new life into the world , and supporting the very special needs of families whose tiny children battle medical crises .
This support is also a lifeline for families who experience the heartbreaking loss of a child .
“ It is a sacred privilege to be present and comfort families in the midst of their grief and crises . Our pastoral presence and bereavement care also extends to siblings , grandparents and other family members .
Additionally , the chaplain is a source of encouragement and support for staff who cared for the precious little one . The loss of a baby touches everyone ’ s heart ,” said Chaplain Millicent Albert , regional director of pastoral care for Baylor
Scott & White , who has served patients and staff in Women ’ s & Children ’ s services through the residency program .
When expectant mothers are admitted to the antepartum unit , families ’ lives are disrupted , and when babies are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ), depending on how serious their conditions are , parents ’ hopes and dreams may be shattered and lives changed forever . “ It is something parents never imagined , leading to a unique form of grief . Their vision for future birthday parties and first days of school is now uncertain . The chaplain is present from the beginning to offer spiritual and emotional care through these distressful times ,” Chaplain Albert said .
Dedicated , experienced chaplains navigate the many needs of families . For families who experience a loss , chaplains also liaise between the families and other disciplines like pathology and child life , and to external services including funeral homes , grief support organizations and others .
This service exists thanks to the dedication of donors . Among those devoted to making pastoral care available to all , the A . L . Chilton Foundation has stepped forward to generously support pastoral care for Women ’ s & Children ’ s services at Baylor University Medical Center for 10 years .
“ The A . L . Chilton Foundation is one of the primary reasons our Women & Children ’ s Services Pastoral Care Program is a comprehensive ministry ,” said Chaplain Albert . “ Their support has felt like an extension of God ’ s hands and feet , empowering us to instill hope and offer an extra degree of compassion , dignity and respect to our most vulnerable patient and family population . Their funding will have an eternal impact on the lives of numerous patients , families and staff .”
“ The A . L . Chilton Foundation has been pleased to collaborate with Baylor Scott & White in support of their Pastoral Care Residency program for many years to facilitate bereavement care for families facing difficult times when their child is born with abnormalities or when they endure the loss of a child ,” noted Patti Brown , member of the distribution committee for the A . L . Chilton Foundation . “ Chaplain Millicent Albert and her staff have had a positive impact on so many families . We are grateful for the fine work they do .”
For more information on how you can support the Pastoral Care Residency program , please contact Myka Boos at
Myka . Boos @ BSWHealth . org or 214.820.2585 .
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THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE FOUNDATION NEWS / SPRING 2023