It was a challenging but rewarding summer for the graduates of the MGH’s Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program. The group was honored at a ceremony Aug. 17 in the MGH Chapel marking their completion of the 11-week program.

The five students, who represented four religious denominations, spent many hours providing pastoral care and addressing the spiritual needs of MGH patients. The CPE Program includes time spent on call and classroom-based activities such as seminars, role-playing and reflective essay writing. The goal of the program is to gain an understanding of what it means to be a caregiver and to grow as a chaplain.

“This program is a major contribution to compassionate, spiritually and culturally sensitive care at the MGH. These clinical experiences help prepare students for leadership in their religious communities,” says Rev. Angelika Zollfrank, director of Clinical Pastoral Education.

“It was very hands-on,” says Tim Temerson, who is pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree as a Unitarian Universalist. “Witnessing the courage of patients and their strength during moments of extreme vulnerability was an incredible experience.”

For Anna Rudberg, who is training to become a Methodist pastor, the time she spent in a clinical setting gave her “a better understanding of what it’s like for doctors and nurses and those who work in this emotionally intense environment.” She says, “It was an honor to be a part of the great care at the MGH.”

The CPE Program is an interfaith professional education program for ministry and spiritual care. It runs three times per year and is open to health care providers who wish to integrate spiritual caregiving skills into their clinical practices. For more information, contact the Chaplaincy Department at (617) 726-2220.  

From left, Elizabeth Leavitt, Temerson, Rudberg, Jonathon Page, Zollfrank and Kate Williamson.