Advocate Trinity Hospital Clinical Pastoral Education program
Institutional context
Advocate Trinity Hospital, founded in 1895, has grown from modest beginnings to become a 263 bed, acute care hospital, serving 90,000 patients each year. Located on the southeast side of Chicago, the hospital provides a full range of services, from obstetrics and pediatrics to emergency medical, surgical, heart and cancer care. In addition to providing high quality inpatient care, Advocate Trinity offers a range of outpatient services. A recent three-story addition brings same-day surgery and outpatient testing under one roof to serve many of our customers’ ongoing health care needs. In addition, the hospital’s Advocate Health Center, located just off the main lobby, provides primary care services for children and adults.
Advocate Trinity works closely with the 300 physicians on the hospital’s staff, who have expertise in more than 50 specialties and subspecialties. Together the hospital and medical staff are striving to make Advocate Trinity the community hospital of choice on Chicago’s South Side.
Population served
Advocate Trinity is a very diverse hospital. The patient population is 75% African-American, 16% Hispanic, 8% Euro-American and 1% Asian/Pacific Islander. The physician mix is 41% African-American, 26% Indian/Pakistani, 24% Euro-American, 7% Asian/Pacific Islander and 2% Hispanic. In addition, the employee diversity is represented by 39% African-American, 36% Euro-American, 14% Hispanic and 11% Asian/Pacific Islander.
Description of pastoral care department
Currently, the department includes two full time chaplains, one of whom serves as the Vice President of Mission and Spiritual Care and a member of the Executive Team of the Hospital. The department also includes two part-time chaplains, one Community Resource Coordinator and an Administrative Secretary. This office has oversight of a volunteer corps who advocates for sexually assaulted persons and is the administrative liaison for the hospital’s Mission, Values and Philosophy Committee. The department also has a leadership role with the Hospital’s Ethics Committee and supports and promotes visiting clergy and laity pastoral visiting. In addition, members of the chaplaincy staff facilitate support groups and participate in community educational activities.
Unique educational elements
The program is designed to focus on the student as a ministering person, seeking to embody their gifts for pastoral ministry. Students are encouraged to move towards integration of their practice of ministry and their theology. This opportunity for an intense experimental learning opportunity includes individual supervision, small group discussions, as well as, opportunities to minister and relate to the staff in an interdisciplinary setting.
Each academic year includes a year-long CPE Residency Program (September 1 - August 31). Three students are accepted for this program which is in partnership with the CPE Residency Program at Advocate Christ Medical Center. Advocate Trinity offers three congregational-based extended units: September-December, January-April and May-August. In these programs, students complete clinical hours at the hospital along with clinical hours at a congregational parish. Clinical hours can also be completed in partnership with Advocate’s Faith and Health Partnerships’ Southland Patient Service Area. The uniqueness of these three programs’ curriculum focuses on students learning social justice spiritual care methodologies.
Pertinent information for applicants
A non-refundable deposit, applicable to fees, is required to hold a place in any program when the applicant accepts a position at this center. Students may not begin a program until they have complied with the mandated pre-employment physical exam, drug screening and criminal record background check.
For more information
Rev. Dr. Danielle J. Buhuro
Advocate Trinity Hospital
2320 E. 93rd St.
Chicago, IL 60617
Phone: 773-967-5775
Email: danielle.buhuro@aah.org