I am thrilled to announce that I have received the green light to publicly defend my dissertation for the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences at Rush University! This defense marks the culmination of years of research, writing, and collaboration, and I would be honored to have you join me for this momentous occasion.
About My Dissertation
What if healthcare chaplaincy education were reimagined from the ground up? This dissertation investigates the urgent question of how to better prepare chaplains to meet the complex spiritual and emotional needs of patients, families, and healthcare teams. Through three interrelated studies—an exploration of early career chaplains’ educational experiences, an analysis of hiring managers’ expectations, and a Delphi study establishing expert consensus on curriculum standards—it identifies critical gaps and opportunities for reform. The findings reveal the need for greater integration, specialization, and standardization in chaplaincy training. Concluding with a bold vision for the future, this work charts a transformative path toward a healthcare chaplaincy education system that is rigorous, evidence-based, and capable of shaping chaplains who are fully equipped to transform the field and advance spiritual care in modern healthcare.
I hope you’ll join me for this critical conversation about the future of chaplaincy education!
