Faith & Medicine
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A Theological Response to the Isolation of Medical Displacement
Illness, impairment and pain are displacing experiences, separating a person from their sense of self and their community. This separation can occur in many forms. In my own life, my impairment, a permanent brachial plexus injury from birth, can come up in jarring ways.
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What Singing for Blood Taught Me
"I can't get 'the stick.' She won't let me near her." The third phlebotomist of the day walked out of Renee's room with an unused needle. Unless this patient's blood could be drawn to test it, I would have to discontinue clozapine, the only medication that reduced Renee's commanding voices to tolerable whispers.
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The Importance of Neurocritical Care: Saving Lives and Enhancing Recovery in Central Texas
"It happened so quickly. One moment she was perfectly fine, then the next, she stopped talking normally and slumped over," said Cindy's husband. "Will she ever be able to walk again? Will she be able to hold her children again?"
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Reclaiming the Spiritual Dimension of Health and Healing: A Seasoned Chaplain's Perspective
Holistic health care is a buzzword these days, written into the mission, vision and values of health care systems throughout the country. There's a good reason for this: more and more research points to the positive impact of treating the whole person on patient outcomes, patient and family satisfaction, and staff morale.
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Supporting Patients and Their Loved Ones Coping With Serious or Terminal Illness
Chaka Brittain's mother used to bring her along on her visits to terminally ill people in her community. "My mom was somewhat of a death doula, if you would," she said. "I remember even as a young girl going to people's houses, and they were dying. She'd come in and sit with them and stay with them until they had 'gone to glory.'"
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Timeless Approach, Latest Innovations Combine in Personalized Medicine
One in a million describes a young woman I cared for with a rare form of kidney cancer. Unfortunately, despite all efforts, including clinical trials, she passed away from her disease. Patients like her propel me and our Mercy ministry to find solutions to enable early and accurate detection of disease, to maximize treatment response and minimize side effects.
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The Unique Needs of Vowed Religious Elders in Long-Term Care
Growing old is not for the faint of heart, nor is caring for frail elders. This is particularly true when one is caring for retired sisters, priests and brothers who have lived lives vowed to God and service. Their unique perspectives on life, the sacrifices and adventures experienced during their ministries, and the challenges of living a vowed religious life deserve special efforts to ensure a high quality of life and enjoyment in their later years.
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Religious Communities Seek Paths to Long-Term Care for Aging Members
In 2004, the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary decided that they could not offer on-premises skilled care to their aging members. "We made the decision with our heads, and we're living it now with our hearts," said Senior President Sr. Mary Catherine Redmond, PBVM.
Departments
Editor's Note — Spring 2025
Betsy Taylor
Mission — Moving Beyond 'No Margin, No Mission' in Catholic Health Care
Dennis P. Gonzales, Ph.D.
Formation — Why Good Is Better Than Best
Darren M. Henson, Ph.D.
Ethics — Calling Balls and Strikes: Clinical Ethics Consultants as Umpires
Fr. Peter Fonseca, MA, MS, MDiv
Community Benefit — Navigating Financial Assistance at Mercy: Compassionate Care for Patients
Sterling Coker, MBA, EHRC, CRCR
Aging — Preserving Catholic Health Care's Footprint in Post-Acute Services
Trish Gathers, CPA
Social Justice — Catholic Churches and Hospitals as Sanctuaries and Places of Refuge
Brian M. Kane, Ph.D.
Thinking Globally — From Parachutes to Paradigm Shifts: My Global Health Journey
Bruce Compton
Finding God in Daily Life - Spring 2025
