 |
|
 |
News Archive |
New Director of Spiritual Care Joins Cottage Health System
(November, 2005)
Cottage Health System welcomes Reverend Pamela Washburn as the new director of the Department of Spiritual Care.
In her new role, Rev. Washburn will be responsible for a diverse interfaith program that administers to the spiritual care needs of patients and their families and loved ones as well as employees. She will oversee two professional staff, and approximately 50 volunteers specifically involved in spiritual care activities.
Rev. Washburn also will be involved in a number of hospital-based programs dealing with such relevant subjects as bioethics, palliative care and bereavement care. In addition, she will also serve as a liaison to the local community in assessing and developing appropriate spiritual care resources for Cottage programs.
""The needs of our patients extend beyond just the physical," said Adam Thunell, Vice President of Ancillary Services for Cottage Health System. "Supporting their spiritual well being is part of our goal to provide a truly healing environment. Pam brings a huge commitment and enthusiasm for the job and for the direction that Cottage is steering this important component of our healthcare delivery for the future."
Most recently, Rev. Washburn served as Chaplain Clinician at Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio, TX, where she provided pastoral care to patients in a wide range of programs including solid organ transplantation, cardiac care, psychiatric care, and sexual assault. Her previous positions included Senior Chaplain at Hospice of Marion County in Ocala, FL and Substance Abuse Counselor at Communicare, Inc. in Elizabethtown, KY.
A native of Statesville, NC, Rev. Washburn earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, NC, and her Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. She received her chaplaincy board certification from the Association of Professional Chaplains.
The not-for-profit Cottage Health System consists of 366-bed Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, a regional trauma center and teaching hospital, with its associated Cottage Children's Hospital; 122-bed Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital; and 20-bed Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. Last year, the hospitals provided inpatient care for 21,000 people, treated 62,000 patients through their 24-hour emergency departments and helped deliver 2,900 newborns. With a staff of more than 2,500, Cottage is the largest private employer in the County.
- end -
