APC e-News September 2008

Harry Burns BA MA BCC is a chaplain at The Presyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC. He can be contacted at hlburns@novanthealth.org.

Kenneth Siess DMin BCC, board member and Commission on Professional Ethics chair
Ken Siess

Having served on the APC Commission on Professional Ethics and as chair of the ACPE Ethics Commission, I believe I have a very good understanding of the challenges and opportunities of maintaining and promoting high ethical standards in our professional organizations. Now that APC and ACPE are engaged in an effort to work more closely together on professional ethics concerns, I believe my past experience will be of value to both organizations.

In addition, my long experience in a variety of clinical settings has provided me with some important insights into the overall challenges and opportunities of a professional chaplain. Finding effective ways to provide educational opportunities to our members on matters of professional ethics will be a priority for me. I look forward to working with the APC board and membership in further strengthening an already strong organization. I invite members to contact me with comments, questions and concerns.

Kenneth J. Siess DMin BCC is a "retired" chaplain, having last served full-time as director of chaplaincy and CPE at University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. He continues serving in various capacities as teacher and consultant and may be contacted at kesiess@comcast.net.

Appointed to an unexpired term is:

Debbie Husband JD MDiv BCC, secretary

I am a strong advocate for compliance to APC standards and excellence for all chaplains, and look forward to serving next year as the appointed secretary of the board.

Extremely organized, I have run a spiritual care department 24/7 in a large metro area. In addition, my work on the 2006 Atlanta conference was great fodder for learning some of the inside ropes of APC.

The next five years for the Spiritual Care Collaborative will be exciting and ground-breaking times in many areas, and I look forward to being a part of the hard work and excitement that comes with change. Lastly, I believe in the work of APC and in its depth. I choose to be a servant to this ministry as well as that of my hospital ministry. They are high callings which inform one another.

Rev. Debbie Husband JD MDiv BCC is the manager of spiritual care at Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital in Longwood, FL. She can be contacted at debbie.husband@orlandohealth.com.

Re-elected to leadership positions are:

Richard Haines, DMin BCC, board member and treasurer
Dick Haines

I have served APC for two years as treasurer. This has been a great honor. It has also been a lot of rewarding work.

I have enjoyed working with the officers and board members as we consider the future of APC and our profession of chaplaincy. I have supported several new initiatives in fund development and in marketing, as well as supporting changes in our certification process and advocacy efforts.

I look forward to serving a second term to continue these efforts in the belief that they will make for a strong future for APC and for professional chaplaincy.
Richard B. Haines DMin BCC, certified ACPE supervisor, is the director of the department of chaplaincy services and pastoral education for the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, VA. He can be contacted at rbh3b@virginia.edu.

Jon Overvold MDiv BCC, board member and Commission on Quality in Pastoral Services chair

In all of my experience as a chaplain, participation in the quality assurance program has been essential for integrating pastoral care into the multi-disciplinary clinical team. Because I understand the importance of quality improvement, I can champion the ways in which it helps to professionalize our work as chaplains.

I believe the development of standards of care and best practices will be the next major advancement for our profession. The challenge will be to define our core standards, to develop consensus among chaplains and to communicate these core standards to the Joint Commission and other organizations that have a stake in healthcare. The Commission on Quality in Pastoral Services can accomplish this and provide other resources to serve the needs of our membership. I am truly honored to continue to serve APC in this position.

Jon A. Overvold MDiv BCC is on staff of The HealthCare Chaplaincy and serves as director of pastoral care and education at North Shore University Hospital on Long Island, NY. He may be contacted at jovervol@nshs.edu.

Valerie Storms MDiv BCC, board member and Membership Services Council chair

Serving APC as a member of the board of directors is a distinct privilege. The opportunity to complete a second term as chair of the Membership Services Council is one that I look forward to.

The Membership Services Council is distinct in that it is the only entity that has "membership" in its description. While it is not the only voice of the members, it is called upon to evaluate benefits and other offerings to enhance the value of being a member of APC.

This is a time of great change, not only within the diverse venues where chaplains do their work, but within the profession of chaplaincy. As Membership Services Council chair, I will continue efforts to strengthen the existing lines of communication between the membership and the volunteer leadership on the APC board, and will strive to always act in the best interest of the members of APC.

Valerie R. Storms MDiv BCC is the manager of pastoral care at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. She may be contacted at valerie.storms@moffitt.org.

Elected to committees are:

Josu� Delgado, Nominating Committee member

I am grateful to continue serving in this role as part of the Nominating Committee in order to help our fellow chaplains find their place in service to others in the national forum.

We on the committee get the privilege to try to seek the best-qualified person who is both willing and gifted to serve in various capacities. This, of course, brings challenges to discern the giftedness of each candidate in relationship to past positions, references and desires. I enjoy speaking to many of the candidates and encourage them as we seek the best for all involved.

Rev. Josu� G. Delgado Jr. MDiv BCC, works with Providence Medford Medical Center, in Medford, OR. He may be contacted at josue.delgado@providence.org.

James Dunlap MDiv DME BCC, Finance Committee member

I bring broad administrative experience in higher education, the parish and Jim Dunlap

chaplaincy to a leadership position in APC. As an APC leader, I have two emphases: professionalism and accountability.

I have witnessed the importance of professional development in my ministry and in the healthcare system where I serve. I will continue to work for the financial health of APC through emphasis on accountability, seeking ways to help the membership understand and address financial issues. I am honored for the opportunity to continue to serve APC in a leadership role.

Rev. James Dunlap MDiv DME BCC joined the spiritual services staff of Saint Francis Hospital, Evanston, IL, in 1995. He can be contacted at jdunlap@reshealthcare.org.

Jeffery Garland, Nominating Committee member

At our 2002 APC conference, I was challenged by the APC president to make a difference within the APC organization. I am honored to serve as a member of the Nominating Committee and hope to continue building a new approach toward recruiting and encouraging members to become more active within APC.

I have served APC in many local and national committee roles, including the APC 2007 Conference Planning Committee as the chair of the spiritual needs committee, APC Membership Services Council as chair of the Multicultural/Multiethnic Committee, and as the New Jersey state membership chair. My gifts include my dedication and commitment of service to my ministry, which includes APC.

Jeffery T. Garland DMin EdS BCC serves as staff chaplain with Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Newark, NJ. He can be contacted at jgarland@sbhcs.com.

Thanks to all members who who were willing to be nominated to serve as leaders, and give their time and talents to benefit the APC membership. APC also extends deepest appreciation to those leaders who will be completing their terms of service on October 31. Each leader brings his or her unique perspectives, talents and insights to the APC board, and each helps ensure the ongoing success of the organization, enrichment of the profession and satisfaction of the members.