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IN PRAISE OF
"Under the capable editing hand of Reverend Gilbert, this volume brings together 22 chapters that cover a variety of topics on health care chaplaincy and spirituality. Gilbert provides a helpful introduction to each section, including an overview of each chapter and background information for the individual authors. This work obviously has chaplains and other pastoral  care providers as its target audience. But those in other disciplines will also find it a valuable resource. Nurses, social workers and physicians will find much helpful information in Health Care and Spirituality, and they will gain a better understanding of what is meant by spirituality and how effective spiritual support is provided." 
—Thomas A. Welk, DMin., Director of Professional  Education/Pastoral Care, Harry Hines Memorial Hospice, American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care, Volume 19, Number 4, July/August 2002

"The book invites the reader to hear the different 'voices' of patients and professionals in the health care field. The modern day chaplain and health care provider is confronted with a broad spectrum of cases that require him or her to have broad information and working knowledge, often under pressure, at the hospital setting. The book addresses different perspectives as it integrates the worlds of medicine and spirituality, in an effort to help both staff and patients.

This book is a much needed resource to those in the health care and pastoral care fields. Its multidisciplinary approach and powerful insights, makes it a 'must' for those wishing to insure effective spiritual care in a medical setting. Those who wish to continue ignoring the pressing need to deal with the inner and spirit person, fail to address the 'complete' and total patient. This book provides chaplains and health care providers with effective innovative tools to draw upon to reach out to those who are crying from deep within."
—The Reverend Richard B. Gilbert, Ph.D., CT, Resources Hotline Volume 8, Number 4, 2006

"The emphasis throughout this collection is on the value of compassionate and nonjudgmental listening, of employing empathy rather than sympathy in order to be able to mirror suffering in a way that acknowledges the authenticity and uniqueness of the patient's pain and, in some cases, enables her to discover a voice she may never have known.

As well as serving to introduce the topic of spirituality and health care, this book should prove to be a valuable reference for anyone working in the area of spiritual care. It is comprehensive in scope and the reference at the end of each chapter are most helpful."
—Linda Malia, University of St. Michael's College, Toronto School of Theology, Toronto Journal of Theology, Volume 18, Number 2

ABOUT THE BOOK
Few areas in life have experienced the rapid pace of change that has been the experience of health care. It’s an area where nothing feels “safe” and everything is threatened with reexamination and redefinition. Accompanying this situation is a new appreciation for the human spirit and the gift of things spiritual, including the soul of the work place. Addressing this situation is a vital new book Health Care & Spirituality:  Listening, Assessing, Caring an anthology of the human predicament, the health care professional’s story and the health care work place. Health Care & Spirituality explores this area that is continually being introduced to new treatments, new challenges, new people, new regulations, new expectations, and new time limits.

While no one likes to feel marginalized, unfortunately people often are by gender, race, sexual preference and other areas commonly addressed in social discourse. Health Care & Spirituality addresses the marginalization that accompanies disease, trauma and dying and how the care that must be provided by professionals is easily marginalized by the language of the “bottom line,” regulations, managed care, and human limits.  It is brought together around the common theme of spirituality, the spirit of the patient, the spirit of the work place, and the spirit which transcends it all to give meaning to it. The theme of the book is listening, to the patient’s  whole story; assessing, or giving meaning in conversation with the patient; and caring, for the whole person and the whole story.

Health Care & Spirituality is a book of stories as well as a book of instruction and information. It highlights the important drive of spirituality and spiritual awareness, as it is enhanced by the gifts of chaplains and spiritual caregivers working together for the common good of patients, families and providers.

Health Care & Spirituality not only inspires with its definitions and pathways, but introduces us to the particular professional groups (nurse, chaplain), gender and faith groupings (male, female, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Native American, non-descript spirituality and spiritual diversity), and a variety of patient types (trauma, medical, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgendered, obstetrics, HIV/AIDS, addicted, Alzheimer’s, the dying adult and the dying child) bringing into these stories what spirituality is.

ABOUT THE EDITOR
Reverend Richard B. Gilbert, D.MIN., BCC, FAAGC, CPBC, is the Director of Chaplaincy Services at Sherman Hospital, Elgin, Illinois, and the founding director of The World Pastoral Care Center. Reverend Gilbert, Board Certified  Chaplain and Anglican priest, is extensively published and recognized for his leadership and support work in chaplaincy,  pastoral care, health care and bereavement.  He has addressed these issues internationally and continues to advocate for strong chaplaincy presence throughout health care. Author of Finding Your Way After Your Parent Dies: Hope for Adult Children, Gilbert's current research (for his Ph.D.) will be addressing clergy health and well-being as we prepare for ministry in the Third Millennium.

Intended Audience:  Health Care Professionals, Chaplains, Clergy and Lay Ministers in Congregations, Counselors, Physicians, Administrators, Medical and Ministry Students.