Graduates of the Pioneering Catholic Health Care Ministry Leadership Development and Formation Program Now Exceeds 1,100

St. Joseph Health (SJH) announced that 107 employees will graduate this month from Mission & Mentoring, SJHS’ pioneering Catholic health care ministry leadership development and formation program. This year’s students are the program’s 11th graduating class and join an alumni group that now exceeds 1,100 participants from SJHS ministries in California and West Texas who have completed the program.

Launched in 1999, Mission & Mentoring was created to teach participants about the roles and responsibilities involved in integrating the mission and values of SJH into everyday work at its hospitals and health care facilities. The program provides opportunities for system trustees, executives, physicians, chaplains and sisters to understand how their daily work contributes to carrying out the healing ministry of Jesus. The underlying goal is to increase their ability to lead the ministry of Catholic health care.

“ Mission & Mentoring empowers participants to better understand our health care ministry, that it belongs to us all, and how they are vital to carrying it out ,” said Sister Jayne Helmlinger, Executive Vice President at SJH. “ Over the years, we have seen the program touch the hearts and minds of graduates, helping them better understand themselves as health care leaders. We are proud to see the program flourish and our alumni continue to grow both personally and professionally .”

Held over a 12 month period, Mission & Mentoring encompasses seven two-day sessions (total of 14 full days) of interactive training, learning and instruction along with intensive reading, reflection and journaling assignments in between course periods. Following successful completion of coursework, graduates are required to develop and implement a mission integration initiative in their current position.

The St. Joseph Health (SJH) is an integrated Catholic healthcare delivery system sponsored by the St. Joseph Health Ministry. We provide a full range of care facilities including acute care hospitals, home health agencies, hospice care, outpatient services, skilled nursing facilities, community clinics, and physician organizations throughout California, Texas and New Mexico. Our 24,000 dedicated employees strive daily to provide perfect care while building the healthiest communities and ensuring every encounter is sacred. SJHS is committed to maintaining a continuum of care that matches the diverse needs of the communities we serve. For more information about SJHS, log onto www.stjoe.org.