NCFCNNewsletter – March 2009 

            The following information comes to us from the International Parish Nurse Resource Center newsletter, IPNRC eNotes February 6, 2009 Issue #92  (in green) and the Northwest Parish Nurse News Volume 18, Issue 1, February, 2009 (in blue).

           

Dr. Harold Koenig Testifies before Congress on the Need for Parish Nurses Harold G. Koenig, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, has compiled a remarkable document on "Religion, Spirituality and Public Health: Research, Applications and Recommendations," which he presented to the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education of the U.S. House of Representatives last September. One of those recommendations was that the government "consider partial government support for parish nurse programs . . . [which] could represent a substantial cost savings for Medicare and Medicaid." You can read the full text of his testimony by going to: http://science.house.gov/publications/Testimony.aspx?TID=14951 ...and the...  and youThe IPNRC and CaringBridge have partnered to enhance support for the individuals and families to whom parish nurses provide wholistic care. By going to http://www.caringbridge.org/parishnurses the people you are helping can develop their own personal health blogs to facilitate updates for families and friends that are usually provided during a health issue or crisis. This is just another way to show others the caring nature of your calling. 
Recently received from Vinny DeMarco, Faith United Against Tobacco, who was one of the keynote speakers at the 2008 Westberg Symposium:

"Thanks to everyone for your help in convincing the US House and Senate to enact a 61 cent increase in the federal tobacco tax to reduce teen smoking and help fund health care for children in the SCHIP legislation. This will save nearly two million children from tobacco addiction!!! We look forward to President Obama signing this life-saving legislation soon. Now on to FDA regulation of tobacco!"   HopeandHealing.org, a new ministry providing resources on faith and health, is calling for submissions for its Parish Nurses portal. We seek reflections on what it means to be a parish nurse, such as a touching story from your ministry or a selection from a sermon. We also seek practical articles such as a how-to article or ministry tips on an aspect of parish nursing. HopeandHealing.org also covers three main areas: health ministry, wellness, and living with disease. We are committed to providing the best resources and links in faith and health. Please visit HopeandHealing.org and consider sharing your voice with our users. Contact: John Shorb, editor of HopeandHealing.org. Save the Date!
The 2009 Westberg Symposium - September 25-27 The 23rd Annual Westberg Symposium, "Opening Doors to Wholeness," will be held September 25-27, 2009 at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront.  Mark your calendars and join us for self-care tips, programming ideas, spiritual exercises, health tools, and tips for working with individuals and faith communities.  Visit the website for information on our keynote speakers:

• Rev. Philip Gulley (novelist and theologian)

• Dr. Tieraona Low Dog (specialist in integrative medicine)

• Julie Russell, RN, MA (nurse dramatist)

Cincinnati, OH - 2009 Refresh Your Soul Conference.
Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7, 2009. Episcopal Retirement Homes' Parish Health Ministry will hold its conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cincinnati (5901 Pfeiffer Road). This year's theme is "Staying Afloat- Preserving the Capacity to Care." The weekend of renewal will feature keynote presenters Jane Meier Hamilton, MSN, RN. and The Rev. Dcn. Joanna Seibert, MD.Jane Hamilton has been a professional and family caregiver, learning first-hand the challenges of giving care. Her work has taken her from a clinical nursing practice, to consulting and is now a much sought after dynamic, national speaker. Dr. Seibert is a professor of Radiology and Pediatrics at Children's Hospital and University of Arkansas Medical School and a deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas. She has presented numerous retreats and is the author of the book, "Healing Presence." The conference will also offer a variety of breakout sessions addressing topics such as healing prayer, recognizing God's Plan, and healthy meals with today's hectic schedule. For more information about the conference visit their website or call Ellen Schneider at 1-800-835-5768 Ext. 4545.Blacksburg, VA - "Healing Bodies and Souls: A Journey of Faith and Purpose."
Saturday, March 21, 2009, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sponsored by the New River Valley Interfaith Health and Wellness Network, with keynote speaker Dr. Harold Koenig of Duke University Medical Center. Breakout leaders include Gerri McDaniel, Parish Nurse Coordinator of the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association, among others.  To download a brochure go to: http://parishnurses.org/DocumentLibrary/Healing%20Bodies%20and%20Souls_Koenig.pdfLancaster, PA - "How Do We Respond? Ethical Care for
Persons and Families Experiencing
Serious/Terminal Illness."  March 26, 2009, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  Sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Center.  Keynote presenter is Dennis P. Hollinger, Ph.D., President & Professor of Christian Ethics, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA.  If interested in attending, you may download a brochure at: http://parishnurses.org/DocumentLibrary/Health%20Ministry%20Brochure.pdf Omaha, NE - National Episcopal Health Ministries (NEHM) Second Annual Conference for Health Ministry and Parish Nursing: "Healing and Hope"
April 16-18, 2009.  This year's theme will be Healing & Hope, with the Jean Denton Keynote Address delivered by The Right Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Bishop of the Anglican Church of Canada and Bishop of Navajoland.  NEHM is a network of nurses, health ministers, chaplains, and laity who promote health and wellness in Episcopal congregations. It is our experience that health ministries have a tremendous impact on the level of pastoral care for individual congregations and by extension, the community as a whole. For more information go to their website. Minneapolis, MN - Omaha System International Conference: A Key to Practice, Documentation, and Information Management.
April 16-18, 2009 at the Eagen Community Center, sponsored by University of Minnesota School of Nursing (which is celebrating their centennial!)  Find out how to measure the outcomes of your good work in your faith community.  A preconference will be held on April 16; speakers, poster presenters, and exhibitors are scheduled for April 17-18.  The due date for poster abstracts is January 30, 2009.

Multidisciplinary speakers and poster presenters including parish nurses will share their experiences using the Omaha System at diverse national and global practice, education and research sites. This conference, on the theme of "Partnerships," offers innumerable opportunities for attendees to gain knowledge to support implementation of best practices/evidence-based practice, organize and standardize documentation, measure outcomes, and successfully address future multidisciplinary information technology challenges. This conference is presented by Martin Associates and the school host is the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. For additional information, visit the website or send an e-mail to LuAnn Rice. Sioux Falls, SD - "Spirituality and Healing Ministries: Presence...Tending to the Holy in Others"
May 1, 2009.  2009 Avera Parish Nurse Conference featuring Kathy Reardon, RN, MS, and Joyce Hutchison, RN.  For more information, call 605-322-4700 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - "Bridging Spirituality and Health"
May 21-24, 2009.  Save the date for the 11th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Canadian Association for Parish Nursing Ministry.  More information on their website. 
CAPNM members from Saskatchewan extend the invitation to the 2009 CAPNM Annual General Meeting and Conference.
 
Marshall, MN  - "Congregations Caring for Those with Mental Illness"
October 2, 2009.  Keynote speaker will be Rev. Hollie M. Holt-Woehl, Ph.D. along with breakout sessions from other mental health professionals as we explore the needs of and ministry to those in our congregations and communities who are living with mental illness.  For more information email the SW MN Parish Nurse Network.

Eau Claire, Wisconsin - "Parish Nurses Advancing an Evidence Based, Knowledgeable and Spiritually Reflective Practice"
October 16, 2009.  8:00 am - 4:45 pm Plaza Hotel and Suites Conference Center. Pre-conference will be at the Wisconsin Nurses Association sponsored by the Wisconsin Parish Nurse Coalition (WPNC).  More information can be found on the website.  Click on "Nursing Advancing a Culture of Safety" to take you to the WPNC Pre-Conference details and registration.  

Health and Wellness Resources  A website that is worth checking into is the Alliance for the Healthiest Nation. http://www.healthiestnation.org/It has a delightful video clip that is well worth watching. Northwest Parish Nurse Ministries (NPNM) is a member of the alliance which is dedicated to prevention and wellness and putting health back into health care. MAYO CLINICS “HEALTH LETTER” which includes tools for healthier living in a format that is easy-to-understand. http://healthletter.mayoclinic.com/ JOHNS HOPKINS’ MEDICAL LETTER :HEALTH AFTER 50” (1-800-829-0422)  UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-BERKLEY’S “WELLNESS LETTER” A newsletter about nutrition, fitness and self-care. (1-800-829-9170) UCLA DIVISION OF GERIATRICS’ “HEALTHY YEARS” A publication devoted to helping older adults lead happier, healthier lives. (1-800-571-1555) 

The following information comes to us from Gayle Mason of the International Parish Nurse Resource center: Attachments1.     Tzone poster – The 4 principles of hand awareness poster2.       Connections Fall 08 – has an article pg. 13-15; “Spiritual Care in Long Term Care and Rehabilitation: The Parish Nurse Connection.  Provided by Lori Anderson, HealthEast Faith Community Nurse Network, St. Paul, MN (there is a printed copy in our library as of 3/09)3.     Spiritual Assessment education tools for clients. Provided by Mary Slutz through the Trinity Parish Nurse Program, Moline, IL4.      Brochure for the Annual April Parish/Faith Community Nurse Retreat sponsored by Winchester Medical Center in Winchester VA. Retreat to be held at Cacapon Resort State Park – Berkeley Springs, WV Resources for Sharing1.       D5 Diabetes  education resources.  The D5 is a set of 5 treatment goals to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes. Educational materials are available for free download at www.theD5.org/catalog. This material has been developed by MN Community Measurements in Minnesota and is suitable for adapting to your congregations.  Go to www.theD5.org to learn more.  Pam Franklin, Arrowhead Parish Nurses, Duluth, MN and Michelle Ferrari, MN Community Measurement. 3.       Henry the Hand Foundation eNewsletter.  Monthly Hand Awareness Tips and educational materials can be found through this “handy” newsletter.  Go to http://www.henrythehand.com and check it out and sign up for the monthly eNewsletter. 4.       The CDC has a wonderful weekly digest email that contains feature articles on health and safety such hand washing and infection rates, car surfing, measles updates, etc. To sign up for the weekly email go to www.cdc.gov/Features/index.html. Mary Slutz, IPRNC Symposium and Resource Coordinator.5.       The Women of the ElCA page on the ELCA website has good faith/health ideas. Go to http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Ministry/Women-of-the-ELCA/Program-resources--for-you-and-your-group/Bold-Womens-Day/Ideas-for-Celebrating.aspx and check out this resource. Lori Anderson, HealthEast Faith Community Nurse Network, St. Paul, MN. January Questions to Coordinators1.       How are you handling blood pressure documentation when a church has multiple individuals (all healthcare professionals) doing blood pressure screenings?a.       Recording on blood pressure cards for the client to keep?b.      Recording BP on form to retain for future reference?c.       Recording BP and referral information on form to retain for future reference?d.      Recording on blood pressure cards for the client to keep and retaining information?e.      OtherSharon Elsesser, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY. Reply to Sharon at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 2.       One of my nurses asked if there are any salary guidelines for Parish Nurses in small churches.  Do you have any information?
Susie Prescott, St. Joseph’s Hosp. So. Florida Baptist Hosp., Plant City, FL. Reply to Susie at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  We have a God who delights in impossibilities. Anonymous