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Spirituality is one of those issues which often seems optional because it is under defined and perceived as soft. Yet further refection suggests it is a critical ingredient for success. For example, achieving CHE’s Vision 2017 assumes that we address at least three essential elements: developing Comprehensive Care Management across a continuum; implementing care that is person centered; and empowering colleagues to assume greater responsibility for the ministry. An essential element that holds these critical elements together is a robust sense of spirituality in the workplace. Without this essential element, the ability to sustain the ministry into the future is at risk. At CHE, our “spirituality vision” aims to create a community of reflection and a culture where persons are committed to their own spiritual development while reverencing all persons and creation. One mission executive said it succinctly: “we tend to the spirit of colleagues, so that they can support the spiritual care of patients and families.” Spirituality enables colleagues to connect meaning and purpose at work by being reflective about being person-centered. It also enables us to be a transforming, healing presence in the communities we serve. Spirituality not only helps the patient; it also enables the colleague to develop as a person, which is a core commitment of our Sponsors. Spirituality is one of those terms that has many different meanings and intents. The goal of spirituality is not to subtly convert colleagues to a faith tradition, but rather to enable colleagues to make sense of caring for suffering patients. I am always reminded by our clinical colleagues who care for patients who are suffering and dying. Their ability to make sense of this suffering and continue to thrive as a health care provider is at its root a spirituality—one that is probably no different than the spirituality of the courageous women religious who founded our ministries. Our Board and Sponsors understand that a critical element of ministry culture is spirituality. Therefore, CHE Vision 2017 contains specifically strategies to address this. Our Strategic Framework states that CHE aims to “…integrate spirituality into the workplace, colleagues’ experiences and CHE’s mission and values to create an organizational culture that is demonstrably values-based.” Since we began implementing this Vision, we have been building structures to do just that. Many of the elements of Spirituality in the Workplace have existed for years, such as the education about Mission that is shared with all new colleagues; Mission-related material shared at Values in Practice orientations; the practice of offering prayers before meetings; celebrating religious observances of many faiths throughout the year; sharing inspirational e-mails; and various blessings and rituals. Our Culture of Inclusion is an embodiment of the Catholic Social principles of respect for person, common good and participation. Our consistent practice of reflecting on core values at the end of meetings is a form of spirituality, as is the thoughtful reflection of the values-based decision making we use to discern difficult decisions. Beyond the many practices that we find across CHE, colleagues are innovating new structures and processes to nourish the spirit. Several of our ministries are offering interdisciplinary Schwartz Rounds to help staff make sense of difficult clinical situations. Our palliative care programs and chaplains are providing sessions on Caring for the Caregivers. From the system office we have been offering Best Practices in Spirituality, monthly coaching webinars to provide resources to those leading local spirituality efforts. Several of our ministry leadership teams have adopted a form of storytelling, for example, looking to everyday “miracle stories” that identify the heroic work of our caregivers. Benefits for colleagues who take part in Spirituality in the Workplace activities are many. In addition to helping incorporate spiritual practices into their workday and to learn more about different faiths and spiritual practices, these sessions help colleagues connect workplace activities to CHE core values in action; help colleagues connect their work to the heritage and history of CHE’s sponsors; and assist colleagues in speaking easily about the sacredness of our ministry and to clarify their own personal story and place in this history. Sustaining the ministry will not happen by itself. We need structures that will hardwire the culture to be one that is both reflective and reverent of persons. Together we need to identify structures at the system and local levels that will enable colleagues to nurture their spirituality and enhance the effectiveness of their ministry to others. We also need to assess at these levels the effectiveness of what we are currently doing or considering doing. I am proud of the great strides we have made in building and enhancing spirituality throughout Catholic Health East. As we increasingly turn to our colleagues to assume greater responsibility for the ministry…a solid connection to, understanding of, and appreciation for the spiritual nature of our work will be the key to our future success. Sincerely yours,
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