History of The Parish Nurse Ministries

  • The Parish Nurse Institute of Western New York (PNIWNY) was formed by a group of Registered Professional Nurses who met in May, 2001, while attending the first Basic Parish Nurse Preparation Education course offered in WNY. The program was sponsored by Niagara University College of Nursing and Marquette University.
  • The hope of the charter members was that this organization would provide a means through which various parish nurses and wellness ministry programs could join together to rekindle the healing ministry of the Church. By the end of the summer of 2001, the charter group was meeting regularly, and the organization was founded.
  • God has blessed this group of dedicated nurses with wonderful opportunities starting with the offer to provide us with our first home. St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eggertsville, NY, became our regular gathering place. The hospitality of that faith community will never be forgotten by the early pioneers of the Parish Nurse movement in WNY.
  • August, 2002, the PNIWNY began educating nurses to perform the role of Parish Nurse or Faith Community Nurse. Every year, a week long retreat is offered to present the International Parish Nurse Resource Center’s Basic Parish Nurse Preparation curriculum. Trocaire College remains our academic affiliate in this endeavor.
  • November, 2003 marked the date when the Inter-Church Parish Nurse Program, Inc., The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Trocaire College and the PNIWNY came together to begin planning the organization’s first conference, which was held in February, 2004. Its title, “To Live Life Abundantly,” was certainly a prophetic vision. In 2005, “Finding the Abundant Life … Forgiveness: Essential in the Journey Toward Wholeness” was held with cosponsor Tender Loving Care Staff Builders Home Health; in 2006, “Discover Your Divine Design”; in 2007, “Healer Take Care of Yourself  sponsored with St. John’s Lutheran Church of West Seneca, Dignity Funeral Homes, and Trocaire College; and in 2008, “Finding the Abundant Life…Even in the Face of Death” was sponsored with UNYTS and The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Buffalo. Important to note is that Abbott Immunology has been a generous supporter. In 2009, “Finding the Abundant Life…As Stewards of God’s Creation” was held in the beautiful setting of Christ the King Seminary, which was quite fitting for this theme. A number of community organizations participate in these events as vendors.
  • In the spring of 2005, the organization embarked on the next part of its journey when it was introduced to the Pauline Fathers and Brothers at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church on Clark Street in Buffalo, NY. The vision of both groups was congruent in their hope of establishing an inner city presence to care for God’s people. At the beginning of the summer, 2005, through the spring, 2006, preparations began for a space to house the organization’s Resource Center. After many long hours of work and creative thinking, a dedication ceremony was held. The purpose of the Resource Center is to provide a place where members can come for information that can be used in their own parish nurse ministry and to provide a place to meet for regular gatherings. The hope is eventually to open the Resource Center to the community as a means of outreach and education. Parish Nurses from across WNY now have a place to gather for education, peer support, networking, and spiritual enrichment. In 2006, the organization began more intensive outreach to faith communities in WNY with the hope of realizing the dream of having a parish nurse in every New York state faith community. Now “Calling a Parish Nurse to Your Faith Community,” is a regular educational outreach activity. Invitations from various groups to speak on Parish Nursing are increasing and outreach to the Jewish community has begun. In 2008, dialogue began with Christ the King Seminary to expand PNIWNY, Inc.’s outreach potential by holding these half day seminars on a regular basis on that campus.
  • In March, 2007, the organization, along with Stall Geriatrics and Niagara University, was awarded its first grant supported by the Community Health Foundation of Central and WNY to study the viability of parish nurses acting as transition coaches when frail elderly enter into the health care system. The project was highlighted as a podium presentation at the annual International Parish Nurse Conference, The Westberg Symposium, in September, 2008.
  • In May, 2007, the organization’s name changed to Parish Nurse Ministries of New York, Inc. (PNMNY), when it attained a 501c3 (Not for Profit) status. This transition was made possible through an on-going partnership with leadership of the Inter-Church Parish Nurse Program, Inc. Due to the efforts and support put forth by William D. Schultz, Esq., a scholarship bearing his name has been established. This scholarship is awarded to registered nurses who are considering the call to parish nurse ministry. The first scholarship was awarded to a graduate of Niagara University’s 2008 class and another in 2009.
  • The PNMNY has been invited to participate in various community initiatives aimed at addressing health care issues: Rural Health Association, NY Department of Health, P2 Collaborative of WNY, UNYTS, The Community Foundation of Buffalo, The Niagara Caregivers Coalition, The National Partnership for Women and Families and many more. Members have highlighted the parish nurse role on the radio, television, and in newspaper articles.
  • In April, 2008, the organization held its second strategic planning gathering in an attempt to review its Vision and Mission and prioritize an action plan for the next three years. The PNMNY, Inc. became a member of the Network of Religious Communities of WNY in order to strengthen support for the granted project entitled, Parish Nurses as Transition Coaches.
  • In 2009, the organization joined forces with Faithful Health Care Reform as a state member. Having participated in the 2008-9 Obama Community Conversations related to health care reform, joining this national group provides a forum for weekly teleconference dialogues and networking activities.
  • In November, 2009, The PNMNY, Inc. joined with WNY Clergy and the Healthcare Education Project to Fight Obesity and Diabetes in an effort to educate and empower members of faith communities throughout Buffalo and WNY to make simple life style changes to prevent or decrease their risk of developing Diabetes and all the complications of the disease.
  • In May of 2010, the organization was an invited presenter at the Southern Tier Conference regarding rural health care initiatives that was being held at Alfred State College in Alleghany County.
  • Weekend retreats continue to be held to support the parish nurses as they minister, mostly in unpaid positions, within faith communities of New York State. Our next retreat is planned for October, 2010.
  • Much is left to do, and the parish nurses realize that resources and time constraints are real. However, they continue to trust in Divine Providence and thus push ahead. Certainly since the organization’s conception, the number of nurses who have chosen to begin a parish nurse ministry has grown and the visibility of parish nursing in the community has increased. The path has been rocky at times; however, the parish nurses TRUST that with God’s grace and in God’s time, the hopes and vision of the Parish Nurse Ministries of New York, Inc. will be realized. For, “With God All Things Are Possible” …With humble hearts, the members of the PNMNY, Inc. extend to all who have helped us on our journey a sincere prayer of gratitude.