What is the Parish Nurse Program?

The Parish Nurse Program is a ministry that joins the faith communities in the area with Danville Regional Health System to promote wellness and meet the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of individuals. Most parish nurses volunteer within their own faith communities giving them the advantage of knowing their clients on a personal level. The parish nurse will work directly with congregations or "parishioners" to help them in their quest for wholeness using a spiritual model. The parish nurse understands that spiritual health is central to wholeness and influences a person's entire being. The parish nurse will assist and empower individuals to become more active partners in their management of available health resources.

Why Parish Nursing?

Throughout history the church has played a very active role in tending the needs of the sick as a part of their ministry. The Parish Nurse Program helps reclaim that role for the church. The Parish Nurse Program is helping Danville Regional Health System fulfill its mission of health care excellence to the people of the Piedmont close to home.

What Can Your Parish Nurse Do for Your Faith Community?

The roles of the parish nurse are varied and determined by each faith community served, however, some of these roles might include:

• Integrator of Faith and Health
• Coordinator of Volunteers
• Developer of Support Groups
• Referral Agent
• Health Advocate
• Health Counselor

Danville Regional Health System Parish Nurse Program
Participating Faith Communities

Guildfield Missionary Baptist Church, Dry Fork - Althea Price, Parish Nurse
Hopewell United Methodist Church, Dry Fork - Kim Shelton, Parish Nurse
Loyal Baptist Church, Danville - Craig Waller and Sophronia Waller, Parish Nurses
Fairview United Methodist Church, Danville - Michele Holt, Parish Nurse
Stokesland United Methodist Church, Danville - Sue Fleming, Parish Nurse
First Baptist Church of Gretna, Gretna - Elizabeth Boggs and Eleanor Pearson, Parish Nurses
First Baptist Church, Danville - Pat Burgbacher, Parish Nurse
New Testament Baptist Church, Danville - Carolyn Howell, Parish Nurse
St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Danville - Sherri Garrett, Parish Nurse
Calvary Baptist Church, Danville, Sophronia Waller, Parish Nurse
The Tabernacle, Danville - Meredith Sutton, Parish Nurse

The Piedmont Parish Nurse Association meets the 3rd Monday of each month at
noon at Danville Regional Medical Center, 142 South Main St. and the first
Thursday of each month at 5:30 PM at St. Luke's United Methodist Church,
3090 North Main St. Please join us to learn more about Parish Nursing and
Health Ministry for your faith community.

If you are interested in learning more about Parish Nursing
or starting a program in your congregation, please contact
Michael day, RN, Parish Nurse Coordinator at (434) 799 4407.