Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) honors eight graduates from its first ever Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Accredited Intern Program on August 11, 2014.
During the ten week program, Chaplain Interns provide pastoral care to patients, families, and staff, while also training to function under battlefield or peacetime deployment conditions.
"We came up with the idea of doing an internship with the Reserves," stated Chaplain (Col.) Wayne Boyd, Command Chaplain, Pacific Regional Medical Command (PRMC) Chief, Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care, TAMC. "We asked for permission to do one unit of CPE with the interns and I have to say the quality of the Reserve Officers that we got in this program far exceeded all expectations that I had."
The interns refine their pastoral competency through practicum, clinical supervision and academic study.
The goal is to become spiritual care trauma specialists in garrison and also during military operations.
"This CPE opportunity has made an indelible impact in my life and the ministry and pastoral care that I can provide to the Soldiers under my command. It has put me in touch with tools to better equip me in providing pastoral care and revealed some blind spots in my own life that potentially could have interfered with ministering," stated Chaplain (1st Lt.) Alvin Owens, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, Ft. Shafter.
Boyd says residents contributed great pastoral care throughout TAMC and provided excellent religious support during the recent Rim of the Pacific exercise.
"I received lots of accolades from the TAMC staff on how the interns have impacted the pastoral care of the hospital and how they are sad to see them go," stated Boyd.
The graduating interns also shared their positive experiences throughout the program.
"CPE has made me a better chaplain, not only for working the hospital, but for working at my unit and counseling and caring for Soldiers," stated Chaplain (Capt.) Ronel Estorgio, 322 Civil Affairs Brigade, Ft. Shafter Flats.
Even for Chaplain (Maj.) Kevin Gilbert, 124 Chaplain Detachment-D, Ft. Shafter Flats, a minister for 25 years and a chaplain for eight, the program has been one of the most meaningful experiences of his life. "I have grown more here with these men and women than I ever have in my life. I want to thank everybody who has been a part of making this happen. Because of the pivot towards the Pacific I definitely think this is something that should continue."
For more information on the Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care at Tripler Army Medical Center, call 433-5727.
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