Bishop Paul holds a vision that every congregation
in the Diocese of Bethlehem will have access to a Health Advocacy
Team. This team will provide a holistic health ministry for
all parishioners as well as other people in our neighborhoods.
In order to accomplish this, parishes are encouraged to develop Health Ministry teams that may include a parish nurse, accountants, attorneys,
physicians, and individuals with experience in pastoral care, insurance,
social security, social work and other aspects of health care.
If you might consider serving your parish in this
way or would like more information in order to make that determination,
please contact diocesan liaison to National Episcopal Health Ministries Diana Marshall.
Health Ministries Northeast PA
You are invited to join an interactive electronic "meeting" of people who are interested in Congregational Health Ministries and Parish Nursing in Northeast Pennsylvania and beyond. Here we share information, insights, concerns, and support.
If you have questions about this, or to receive an invitation to join the meeting, e-mail your request to d.marsh@rcn.com
Articles
Health Advocacy Tips
Calendar of Events and Training
Parish Nurse/Health Ministries Contacts
Internet Resources
Resource Publications
Articles
Virtual Walk of the Diocese Part 1
By Kathy Burda
Trinity, Pottsville's Newsletter, March 2008
What
is Health Advocacy ...
And Why Should the Church be Doing it?
By Diana Marshall
Diocesan Life, September 2001
Parish Nursing
Might You be a Parish
Nurse?
By Kathy Burda
Diocesan Life, December 2000
Kathy Burda, a Registered Nurse and the Parish Nurse at Trinity
Episcopal Church, Pottsville, is administrator of the Marion C.
Price Trust set up to care for and maintain the dignity of elderly
Episcopalians in Schuylkill County. In this article she describes
some of the rewards of parish nursing and asks whether YOU
might be called to this ministry.
Health
Advocacy Tips
Alzheimer’s Association Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
This line provides access to Information, Referrals and Support, 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
HMO problems? Brochure available, "What
to do if you have a problems with your Health Maintenance Organization", from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Managed Care:
1-888-466-2787
Assistance with Prescription Drug Costs
Many pharmaceutical companies have programs to provide free medicines
for those who have no prescription drug coverage and whose incomes
fall below certain levels, regardless of age. The income limits are
not always strict—in some cases people earning up to $50,000 per years
can qualify. These programs are not advertised, but you can find information
about many such programs at www.phrma.org.
www.needymeds.com
This site offers information and tools to help consumers and health
care professionals learn more about Patient Assistance Programs operated
by each participating drug manufacturer offering no-or low-cost prescription
drugs to people unable to afford their medicines. You will find a
list of 178 payment programs (click on the Program List link) offered
by U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers.
You will find additional information about discount
mail order medication services at the following web sites:
www.themedicineprogram.com
www.drugplace.com
www.rxusa.com
www.destinationrx.com
www.rxuniverse.com
www.usmedication.com
www.1-800prescriptiondrugs.com
Food for the Hungry in the Lehigh Valley
and Northeast PA
Although they do not distribute food directly to the needy, Second
Harvest Food Bank can refer an individual in need to a food pantry
or soup kitchen in their areas that will provide them with nutritious
food. For a referral or additional information, please call (610)
434-0875.
Support for the Bereaved
Extensive information, resources and support, including chat rooms
and discussion boards, consumer tips, online journaling, support groups
and probate information can be found at AARP's grief website: www.aarp.org/griefandloss.
Two of the support groups listed in Pennsylvania are in Towanda PA
18848 (570-265-6926) and West Chester PA 19382 (610-399-1072).
A free brochure titled, "Understanding the Grief
Process" provides an overview of grief and loss, its impact,
and resources to assist individuals and their families in the grief
process. It is available free (Order No. D16832) by calling toll-free:
800-424-3410.
Coming
Events
June 12-15, 2008
Health Ministries Association 19th Annual Conference, “The Healing Power of Gratitude” at Irvine, California. Details to follow.
http://www.hmassoc.org/
September 12-14, 2008
22nd Annual Westberg Parish Nurse Symposium, “Life Every Voice and Speak” at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Details will follow.
http://www.parishnurses.org/WestbergSymposium_24.aspx
Scholarships Available
Scholarships for education related to Health Ministries are available for members of the Diocese of Bethlehem parishes. Please contact Diana Marshall for more information.
Scholarships intended to help those attending seminars, conferences
and similar courses are also available from the Episcopal Churchwomen
of the Diocese of Bethlehem. Individual scholarships are based on
need, may not exceed $250.00 and may not exceed a maximum of 25%
of the total expenses. For a complete list of the guideline and/or
a scholarship application, please contact Mrs. Maggie Rice, 6 Hawthorne
Road, West Lawn, PA 19609, (215) 678-4225.
Parish
Nurse/Health Ministries Contacts
Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem
Diana S.
Marshall, Diocesan Liaison to National Episcopal Health Ministries
(610) 807-9281
Allentown
Sacred Heart Healthcare System
Deborah Gilbert , Parish Nurse
Coordinator
(610) 776-5346
Berks County
Lilly Tryon, RN
Advent WholeHealth Network
(610) 685-9900 ext. 16
Bradford County and northern areas
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton, NY
Kathy Medovich, Parish Nurse Coordinator
607-798-5035
Poconos/East Stroudsburg
Lisa Lewis
Pocono Medical Center
206 E Brown Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
(570) 476-3449
Schuylkill County
Kathy Burda, Parish
Nurse
Trinity Episcopal Church
Pottsville , PA
mpftrinech@yahoo.com
570-622-8720
Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Pottsville
Sr. Martha Beaudion, V.P. for Mission Services
570-621-4470
mbeaudoin@gsrmc.com
Internet
Resources
PA Medical Society offers as wealth of information and has up to date information on advance directives
National
Episcopal Health Ministries
National Episcopal Health Ministries Regional Representative
for Province III:
Carol Sullivan, 410-827-690,
songofjoy@dmv.com
Health
Ministries Association
United Methodist Church Health and Welfare Ministries
National Health Observances
The
International Parish Nurse Resource Center
Marquette
University College of Nursing: Parish Nursing
National Library of Medicine
The
Episcopal Public Policy Network
The Wellness Community (a virtual support
group and online resources for cancer patients, survivors, and their
families)
The Arthritis Foundation
Good Questions for your Good Health
The Mayo Clinic
Resource
Publications
"Help Line" Booklet of area resources
for Wyoming and Luzerne Counties can be ordered from Help Line,
1095 Route 315, Plains, PA 18705 for $4.00 plus $1.50 S&H. For
further information call (570) 829-1341 or 1-800-432-8007. A copy
has been placed in the resources library at Diocesan House.
"Human Resource Directory for Lackawanna
County" can be ordered from FIRST (Free Information Referral
System Telephone) at (570) 961-1234 for $22.00 (includes mailing costs).
This 300 page booklet contains information about nearly 600 agencies,
including contact persons, addresses, phone numbers, office hours
and descriptions of services. A copy has been placed in the resources
library at Diocesan House.
"Talking With Your Doctor: A Guide for Older
People" is a free publication to help older adults communicate
better with their doctors, available from the National Institute on
Aging (NIA). The booklet
covers five topics: choosing
a doctor you can talk to, tips for good communication, getting started
with a new doctor, talking about your health, and discussing sensitive
subjects. This booklet
offers advice for older adults about how to be partners in their health
care.
The booklet is available online or by calling 800-222-2225.
"Advocate"
a publication of the Advocacy Alliance, a mental health association offering advocacy, community education, social rehabilitation, fiduciary management, monitoring of services, and direct client services, is also available
in the resources library at Diocesan House.
Please direct any
questions or comments to the webmaster@diobeth.org
