Commencement, 2013: Brian Gerich receives honorary doctorate from MetropolitanTikhon
Source: St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
In fall 2012 St. Vladimir’s Seminary began requiring all incoming Master of Divinity students to complete one full unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), as a means to strengthen their pastoral abilities. Now seminary Trustee Emeritus Brian Gerich, Hon. D.H.L., is further supporting seminarians in their pastoral training, by paying for hospital fees related to their CPE programs. Dr. Gerich recently pledged $20,000.
Dr. Al Rossi directs Field Education a year for the next few years to underwrite the fees, which can exceed $1,000 per student. Students who have successfully completed their CPE training from the spring 2014 forward and have demonstrated need, may apply for the funding.
“I am delighted to be part of the team that supports and encourages students in their CPE pastoral formation,” said Dr. Gerich.
CPE training focuses on active listening, reflection, and reevaluation in pastoral care settings. SVOTS seminarians are required to complete 400 hours of hospital visitation and related self-reflection under a certified supervisor, and besides earning one full CPE unit from an accredited CPE program for their work, they may simultaneously earn six academic credits towards their Master of Divinity degree.
“Twelve students are set to complete their CPE unit in 2014,” said the Seminary’s Director of Field Education, Dr. Albert S. Rossi.
“And, seminarian placements for this summer will include a really diverse mix of institutional cultures,” he continued. “We’ll have seminarians training at New York Presbyterian Hospital in White Plains, NY; Beth Israel Hospital in New York City; Wartburg Adult Care Community in Mount Vernon, NY; and two out-of-state placements in New Jersey and Washington State.”
“Because of our students’ superb training in New York metro chaplaincy settings, we are becoming known as a seminary that offers a CPE credential with integrity, among CPE supervisors nationwide,” Dr. Rossi concluded.
- Read about the CPE experience of alumnus Fr. Adrian Budica, who currently serves as a chaplain and ACPE Supervisory Candidate at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, a member of the Mount Sinai Health System, NYC, in this year’s Annual Report.
- Read Seminarian Beryl Knudsen’s story about becoming a chaplain.
