Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/838170
Parish Nurses— Living Their Faith S ince 2003, CHI St. Joseph's Health parish nurses have helped community members throughout Park Rapids and the surrounding communities live healthier, more vibrant lives. These providers—licensed nurses who have completed additional training through Parish Nurse Ministry Programs—are in tune with the individual needs of their congregation members and serve people of all ages. "No two parish nursing ministries look alike," says Diane Brophy, CHI St. Joseph's Health Parish Nurse Coordinator and Public Health Nurse. "Some parish nurses work with older adults, while others predominately work with young families. The common thread is that we help people prosper in body, mind, and spirit. Our goal is to bring faith, hope, and compassion into everyone's life—no matter their stage of life." CHI St. Joseph's Health parish nurses offer many services within their faith communities, including: Health-related counseling Support groups Health education classes and health screenings, such as diabetes education and monthly blood pressure checks Respite care for caregivers Medical appointment transportation Home and hospital visits A volunteer-based ministry, our parish nursing program wouldn't be possible without the generosity of our community members. We're currently looking for volunteers of all ages and have many opportunities for involvement, including assisting community members who are ill or otherwise isolated within their homes or in the hospital. If you're interested in learning more about our ministry, volunteering, or starting a CHI St. Joseph's Health Parish Nursing Ministry within your faith community, call Diane Brophy at 218.255.1270. CHI St. Joseph's Health's Parish Nursing Ministry extends our healing ministry of Christ outside of our hospital walls to local faith communities. Our parish nurses make a difference every day. Our Parish Nurses The following 17 parish nurses serve faith communities throughout the CHI St. Joseph's Health service areas: Kim Barr Diane Brophy Cynthia Dainsberg Judy Doyel Colleen Gartner Marion Hansen Bernice Hinds Helene Kahlstorf Tiffany Kimball Deacon Rosemary Mills Joyce Ramsay Betty Renes Jennifer Schauland Cathy Schmidgall Nancy Seaberg Glyndle Siebert Jodi Walsh I have worked as a parish nurse for more than 10 years. The project I am most proud of is our congregation's blood drive. Within a decade, the drive has grown into a two-day event held twice a year. Serving the Lord, and people in sickness and in health, through my profession as a parish nurse has been a blessing for this octogenarian! —BERNICE HINDS, ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH PARISH NURSE CHI St. Joseph's Health | www.CHISJH.org 4