Release date: Oct. 7, 2005

Emory Schools of Nursing and Theology Announce Faith and Health Specialization

Contact: Amy Comeau, 404-727-8445, acomeau@emory.edu (Nursing)
Contact: Pete Paulsen, 404-727-4481, ppaulse@emory.edu (Theology)
Contact: Elaine Justice, 404-727-0643, elaine.justice@emory.edu (University)

With the nation experiencing both a severe nursing shortage and a heightened sensitivity to issues of faith and religion, Emory University's schools of nursing and theology have joined forces to create an interdisciplinary program exploring the issues of faith and health. The program, in the pilot phase this fall, will be fully implemented in fall 2006, and be available to master's level students in nursing, theology and public health.

Darla Ura, clinical associate professor at Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, got the idea for the program a few years ago after completing coursework in parish and faith-based nursing at the University of St. Louis. After developing the initial concept, she approached Karen Scheib, associate professor of pastoral care and counseling at Emory's Candler School of Theology, about establishing a joint certificate program. The program is open to persons of all faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and others.

The new program seeks to provide students with an understanding of health and faith by introducing them to the principles and practices of nursing, religion, theology and public health and by teaching them how to integrate resources of faith traditions and health sciences. Students also will be advocates for social justice in religious communities and society around issues of health and health care and will help create sustainable community partnerships between faith-based communities and the health profession.

"Nurses' roles have traditionally been with healing of the body. However, in the past several years, emphasis has been placed on the whole person, realizing that an individual's spiritual and religious beliefs impact health and healing," says Ura. "The program in faith and health provides nurses the opportunity to expand their knowledge of faith practices and the impact that religion and spirituality has in the healing process of each patient. In this program both nursing and theology students will have the opportunity to study and care for individuals and communities; therefore, understanding the role each serves in a multidisciplinary context."

"The Faith and Health Program provides an exciting opportunity for a truly interdisciplinary approach to the study of the intersections of religion and health," adds Scheib. "All religious traditions have healing practices. In the Western Christian tradition there are close links between the understanding of salvation and health. In the West, nursing had its origin in the monastery. In contemporary U.S. culture, we are faced with a split between religion and health. Since religion is such an important fact of life in the U.S., it is vital that both religious professionals and health professionals understand the way in which the faith of a person from any religious tradition can hinder or help healing."

Students will be required to complete 13 academic credit hours, including three required courses on the topic of faith and health, and elective courses, two of which must be taken outside of their own school. They also will complete a practice component in a congregational setting that will allow students to address issues of faith and health and actively engage in those issues with the congregants.

For additional information about the program contact the Office of Admissions for the Candler School of Theology (404-727-6326) or the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing (404-727-7980).

Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, which celebrates its centennial year in 2005, is a recognized leader in the preparation of nurses for beginning and advanced practice. Graduates of the programs are at the forefront in leadership, serving as role models for excellence in nursing practice throughout the world. The School of Nursing is especially committed to evolving nursing practice through its key values of scholarship, leadership, and social responsibility. To learn more, visit www.nursing.emory.edu or call 404-727-7980.

Emory University's Candler School of Theology is grounded in the Christian faith and shaped by the Wesleyan tradition of evangelical piety, ecumenical openness, and social concern. Its mission is to educate through scholarship, teaching, and service -- faithful and creative leaders for the church's ministries in the world.

Emory University is known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate college of arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities. For more than a decade Emory has been named one of the country's top 25 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its nine schools, the university encompasses The Carter Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, the state's largest and most comprehensive health care system. To access News@Emory RSS feeds, click here.

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