The Congregational Network for Healthcare aims to provide a continuity of care to patients after they leave the hospital with the help of volunteers representing congregations throughout the region.
The nondenominational program is modeled after the nationally-acclaimed Congregational Health Network at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Memphis’s largest hospital system. Baptist Health Paducah is the first hospital to initiate the program in the Baptist Health system.
Pastors are invited to learn more about the free program at informational meetings set for 10 to 11:30 am or 6:30 to 8 pm Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the Baptist Heart Center auditorium. Pastoral Care director James Wright will lead the meetings and introduce the program’s chaplain navigator Rick Johnson and nurse navigator Ruthanne Cockrell, RN.
The program is meant to help pastors minister to their congregations and surrounding community. Pastors will be asked to choose liaisons from their congregation to be trained by the hospital’s pastoral care staff. Liaisons will then sign up willing church members for the network. In case of hospitalization, the hospital navigators will connect with liaisons and members to confidentially assess needs, make appropriate referrals and coordinate services for hospital aftercare.
To attend one of the informational meetings, RSVP at 270-415-7695.
