Foundations of Catholic Health Care Leadership - An Online Course for Formation and Development

Sessions to be held:
Every Friday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. CT
Feb. 5 through March 12, 2010

Registration for this program has closed. We are sorry for the inconvenience and hope to offer this online program of formation in future. If you have any questions, please contact CHA.

OVERVIEW

Understanding the foundations of Catholic health care ministry is an essential competency for today's leaders. Executives, directors and managers who work in Catholic health settings are leaders of a ministry. For this reason, an understanding of the church's theological roots, social justice tradition and ethical framework is essential for the successful leader.

CHA is pleased to offer the Foundations of Catholic Health Care Leadership Program in an online format for the first time. In doing so, we hope to make the program more accessible and affordable to a broader audience.

The program is organized into six sessions lasting up to two hours each. Each session will include up to two presentations, as well as opportunities for interaction via online chat, voice contact and electronic small group discussions. Registrants are expected to participate in all sessions. Assignments and reading materials will be available for download prior to each session.

SESSION DATES AND TOPICS

Feb. 5:
Program Orientation and Opening Presentation
The Challenges for Catholic Health Care - Sr. Carol Keehan, DC
This session will provide participants with an overview of the program as well as instructions for how to navigate the features of the online technology. Sr. Carol Keehan, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, will outline important challenges on the horizon for Catholic health care and their implications for leaders of this ministry.

Feb. 12:
Theological Heritage of Catholic Health Care
This week's session will explore the theological roots of the health care ministry. This will include a discussion of the ministry of Jesus as a model for our current work and the role of sacred Scripture as a spiritual touchstone for today's leaders. The session will also address the relationship of Catholic health care to the broader ministry of the church, including the heritage of the religious women and men who founded and nurtured the health ministry in the United States.

Feb. 19:
The Social Justice Tradition and Ethical Decision Making
In two presentations, this session will introduce the Catholic social justice tradition and a framework for ethical decision making. Their practical application to Catholic health care will be illustrated with case studies.

Feb. 26:
Community Benefit as a Foundational Element of Catholic Health Care
This session will introduce community benefit as an integral element in the service of a Catholic health provider. Participants will explore its roots in mission, its connection to current not-for-profit requirements, and practical examples of effective community benefit programs.

March 5:
Understanding the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs)
The Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs) define the moral and ethical framework for Catholic health care in the United States. This session will introduce participants to this foundational document by way of an overview of its six sections. Participants will gain a practical understanding of the directives using case studies and group discussion.

March 12:
Looking Ahead: Ongoing Growth for Leaders in Catholic Health Care
This week's session will conclude the Foundations series. Participants will hear from a successful lay leader who has worked to integrate the core values of Catholic health care into day-to-day work. In addition, resources for ongoing learning and formation will be offered.

Objectives
After attending these sessions, participants will be able to:

• Express the relationship of the ministry of Jesus Christ to the work of Catholic health care.
• Describe the elements that define Catholic health care as a ministry of the Church.
• Identify foundational concepts in Catholic social teaching and their implications for health care leadership.
• Articulate a basic process for ethical decision making in the health care setting.
• Communicate the importance of community benefit as part of Catholic health care service.
• Utilize the Ethical and Religious Directives as a leadership resource.
• Develop a plan for ongoing development as ministry leader in Catholic health care.

Continuing Education/Certificates of Attendance

Chaplains:
CHA is requesting continuing education credit from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC).

Executives:
The Catholic Health Association is requesting Category II (non-ACHE) continuing education credit for this program toward advancement or recertification in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Participants in this program wishing to have the continuing education hours applied toward Category II credit should list their attendance when applying for advancement or recertification in ACHE.