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Health Ministries and Parish Nurse Program
Your Gift Will
- Provide support to add two part-time parish nurses to staff eight additional congregations in Oakland and Berkeley
- Purchase supplies for diabetes and high blood pressure screenings
Background
Launched in early 1995 with support of a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Health Ministry Program is a recognized valuable community resource. Health Ministry's mission is to improve the health status of underserved populations by increasing access to essential, quality health care at the congregation level. Traditionally, faith communities have ministered to the variety needs of their congregants, are considered trusted institutions, and serve a large segment of the community.
The Health Ministry Program recognizes that physical, mental, and spiritual well-being is vital to total health. In serving the needs of the whole person, Health Ministry is comprised of two components: Parish Nursing, which provides health screenings and education, and Interfaith Volunteer Caregiving which assists frail, elderly or disabled people with daily living needs so that they may remain living independently. Currently, 16 congregations in the East Bay participate in the Health Ministry
The Challenge:
As word of the Health Ministry program travels, more congregations request services for their members. This year, it is planned to add three churches from the Berkeley community and five from the Oakland Diocese. The inclusion of these congregations will mean an addition of two parish nurses to help develop health cabinets at each church and assess their particular health needs.
At a minimum, each congregation will receive high blood pressure and diabetes screenings on a regular basis. When potential health problems are detected, individuals will be referred to a physician for a more thorough examination and treatment, if necessary.
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