Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth has a rich history of fostering spiritual growth and education, rooted in its unique roots in the Episcopal tradition. This legacy continues today through the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Program, which is accredited by The Association of Clinical Pastoral Education Accreditation Commission.
The CPE Program offers both an internship and residency component. The internship serves as an introduction to spiritual care, providing participants with a comprehensive 300-hour experience over four months. Those who successfully compete the internship can apply for the full-time residency program, which spans one year and focuses on three key areas: theological integration, cultural competency, and behavioral science in spiritual care.
The CPE Program offers both an internship and residency component. The internship serves as an introduction to spiritual care, providing participants with a comprehensive 300-hour experience over four months. Those who successfully compete the internship can apply for the full-time residency program, which spans one year and focuses on three key areas: theological integration, cultural competency, and behavioral science in spiritual care.
CPE students typically come with degrees from esteemed theological institutions and complete clinical hours on the hospital campus while also attending weekly education classes provided through by the Pastoral Care department staff. Through their training, our chaplain interns and residents offer spiritual care to those facing challenges such as new diagnoses, loss of loved ones, or experiences of grief. This care is delivered under the mentorship of experienced staff chaplains and the supervision of ACPE Certified Educators.
Interns and residents rotate through various departments including Palliative Care, Transplant, Emergency Services, as well as Andrew Women’s Hospital. Each rotation is coordinated by a BSW employee chaplain responsible for the service line, ensuring that students receive tailored mentorship as they navigate unique clinical settings.
Recently, the internship program received an anonymous donation to cover tuition cost for students, significantly lowering financial barriers for those wishing to enter the program. This generous support has already benefitted ten interns, allowing them to pursue their calling without the added stress of financial constraints.
In addition to attending to the spiritual care needs of the patients, families, and staff during their shifts, interns also take on leadership roles in public worship. For instance, Rev. Keisha Bogard, a current CPE Intern, participated in the Pregnancy Loss Memorial Service held at Greenwood Cemetery. Her personal journey with pregnancy loss resonated deeply with attendees and provided a space for families from Andrew Women’s Hospital who experienced similar losses within the past year.
By combining hands-on experience with comprehensive training, the CPE Program at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth continues to nurture the next generation of spiritual care providers, ensuring that patients receive holistic support that address both their physical and spiritual needs.
