Course Descriptions

The program is comprised of the following nine individual modules developed by experts in the palliative care. The program will be taught by Gary E. Myers, Ph.D., M.Div., Deputy Director, Continuing and Professional Studies at HealthCare Chaplaincy.

Course Modules and Authors

Module   Author    
History and Philosophy of Palliative Care  

Betty Ferrell, RN, PhD, FAAN
Professor and Research Scientist at the City of Hope
National Medical Center

Spiritual, Existential and Emotional Issues          

Christina Puchalski, MD
Director GWish
Professor, Depts. Medicine and Health Sciences
George Washington University
School of Medicine 
&

Gary E. Myers, MDiv, PhD
Deputy Director,
Continuing and Professional studies at HealthCare
Chaplaincy 

Family Systems and Group Facilitation

Shirley Otis-Green, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, OSW-C
Senior Research Specialist
Division of Nursing Research and Education
Department of Population Sciences
City of Hope National Medical Center 

Ethics and Common Palliative Care Issues

Nancy Berlinger, MDiv, PhD
Deputy Director & Research Scholar
The Hastings Center 

Social and Cultural Influences on Palliative Care

The Rev. Sue Wintz, BCC
HealthCare Chaplaincy
Consultant, Chaplaincy Care Practice
Managing Editor PlainViews
Past President, Association of Professional Chaplains

Chaplain Leadership as Mentorship The Rev. George Handzo, BCC, CSSBB
HealthCare Chaplaincy
Senior Consultant,
Chaplaincy Care Leadership & Practice
Past President, Association of Professional Chaplains 
Ethics/Critical Reasoning Using Cases

Gary E. Myers, MDiv, PhD,
Deputy Ddirector, Continuing and Professional Studies 
at HealthCare Chaplaincy
&
Rabbi Nathan Goldberg, BCC
HealthCare Chaplaincy
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
Certified Supervisor
Columbia University doctoral student - Adult Education 

Professional Wellness While Working in Palliative Care   Martha Rutland, D. Min., BCC, ACPE
Director of Clinical Pastoral Education
VITAS Innovative Hospice Care
Director of CPE at VITAS 
Palliative Care: Science and Religion Together Again Linda L. Emanuel, MD, PhD
HealthCare Chaplaincy
Senior Vice President, Research & Education
Director, Buehler Center on Aging, Health & Society-
Institute for Public Health and Medicine
Northwestern University 

Participants will have one week to complete each module. Participants may expect to spend 8 to 10 hours a week on the reading and assignments for the course. 

Course work includes activities designed to enhance learning through questions/answer sessions, interactive case studies, opportunities for students to apply knowledge in virtual palliative care contexts, and the ability to interact with fellow participants in an online community cohort.

All participants that proficiently complete the coursework will receive a certificate of completion from the California State University Institute for Palliative Care at Cal State San Marcos and HealthCare Chaplaincy.

The program of study is designed to benefit both Board Certified and Non-Board Certified chaplains working as, or preparing to work as, palliative care chaplains, as well as other spiritual care and health care providers involved in or interested in spirituality in the field of palliative care.

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