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In This Issue:
Schwartz Fellow Heralds Experience
Sara Brenner, LICSW, had seen the announcements about the Kenneth B. Schwartz Fellowship in Pastoral care a number of times. She filed the idea of applying in the back of her mind for a later date. Then, when she finally saw an opportunity with her schedule and within her department, she applied.
Having completed the 18-week program in May, Brenner is now heralding the weekly sessions as a highlight of her career and urging others to consider the opportunity.
The fellowships, supported by the Schwartz Center, an independent organization located at MGH, provide funding to individuals in the health care profession who wish to gain the tools to integrate spiritual principles into their own discipline. Brenner’s department freed her for one day a week, and the fellowship paid for coverage of her position.
As an addiction specialist with Addiction Psychiatry, Brenner sees much tragedy and suffering among her patients. She chose to apply to the Schwartz Program as a means of dealing with the suffering, both for the sake of her patients and herself. “We don’t often have the luxury in our busy professional lives to take the time to think about how these issues affect us, or the opportunity to share with our colleagues,” she said. “The fellowship offered a sacred space and time to grapple with issues in a safe, supported way.”
For Brenner, that environment brought with it contributions from “caring, wonderful, committed professionals,” including a palliative care doctor, pediatric neurologist, pediatric cardiologist, pharmacist, respiratory therapist, psychologist and several nurses, as well as the two chaplains who run the program.
Applications for 2003 Winter Fellowship Due September 1The Kenneth B. Schwartz Fellowship in Pastoral Care is open to all health care professionals who interact directly with patients. Applications for the Winter 2003 program are due September 1, 2002. For an application or for more information, call 617-726-2220 or contact Rev. Charles Kessler, program coordinator, Clinical Pastoral Education, MGH, directly at 617-724-3227.