The Center for Theological and Spiritual Development (the Center) at the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE) welcomed healthcare professionals from across the country to explore the theme of  “Spirituality and Healthcare: A Moral and Faith-Filled Enterprise” on Saturday, November 8, 2008. More than 250 enthusiastic medical professionals, pastoral practitioners, and others in the field came to the conference to hear Dr. Daniel Sulmasy answer the question, “Is healthcare a spiritual practice?”

In his keynote address, Dr. Sulmasy, a Franciscan Friar who holds the Sisters of Charity Chair in Ethics at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Manhattan and serves as Professor of Medicine and Director of the Bioethics Institute of New York Medical College, reminded the audience that “no amount of economic transformation can alter the fundamental meaning and value of healthcare, nor can it ever eradicate the interpersonal nature of the healing relationship that begins when one person feels ill and another asks, ‘How can I help you?’” He challenged participants to see that “the spirituality of medical practice at the dawn of the 21st century in the United States demands great virtue – courage, hope, perseverance, and creative fidelity.”

(l-r) Drs. Taylor and Sulmasy share a conversation with the crowd on the importance of understanding healthcare as a spiritual practice. (Photo by Matt Kovacs) 

Also part of the day was a choice of 11 workshop presentations, including one led by Carol Taylor, Ph.D., founding member and now director of the Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown University. Dr. Taylor’s workshop, entitled “Healing Presence: Creating a Culture that Promotes Spiritual Health,” invited participants to ponder the “why” and “how” of spiritual care and to reflect on their commitment to and success in meeting their own spiritual needs and those of others.

“What a privilege it was to host Drs. Sulmasy and Taylor, and our workshop presenters who invited us to explore how healthcare ministries can serve the most intimate experiences of what it means to be a human person,” said Linda Baratte, Director of the Center. “It was wonderful to see doctors, nurses, administrators, chaplains, pastoral ministers, and other healthcare professionals gathered to learn more about our common work to add to the well-being of our communities as we each practice ‘soul medicine.’”

The conference concluded with a plenary session of “sacred eavesdropping” as Drs. Sulmasy and Taylor shared wisdom and challenges from their practice of the healing arts as a moral and virtue-filled enterprise. They invited questions and comments from the audience which led to the sharing of many touching experiences by healthcare professionals and the values at the heart of their work.

The Center is known nationwide for the annual Spirituality Convocation and Summer Institute programs that draw theologians from around the country and thousands of people of all faiths to the campus in a celebration of spirituality and cultural diversity.  For more information about the Center and upcoming events, call (973) 290-4300, or visit their Web site www.cse.edu/center.