Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
About Us
Stories of Hope
Parish Nursing:
Health Care for the 60 Percent
Rev. Dr. Granger Westberg, founder of parish nursing in 1985, speaks of three levels of illness: 10 percent of people, he said, are acutely ill and hospitalized; 30 percent aren't feeling well and visit the doctor, and 60 percent of us are not sick enough to see a doctor, yet a problem is developing. Parish nursing focuses on the 60 percent.
Combining professional nursing and ministry, parish nurses provide practical medical support and spiritual care to people in their homes, at neighborhood senior centers or after church services. Dorothy Mayernik, RN, MSN, reflects from experience: "It's the only nursing specialty I know where you can develop long-term relationships with patients because you see them in everyday life. Parishioners feel free to approach the parish nurse with their concerns."
"I saw Dorothy at my local senior center," Mary recalled. "I just wasn't feeling right. Dorothy took my blood pressure and we discovered that it was 240/120! I reluctantly admitted that I wasn't taking my blood pressure medicine because I couldn't get the child-proof cap off the prescription bottle. Dorothy took me to see the doctor and went to bat for me at the pharmacy. Dorothy was a real God-send to me that day!"
Parish nurses listen and educate people in how to stay well. They find medical care for uninsured people; they lend emotional support and help solve ordinary health care problems. They also pray with people, knowing that God is the source of all healing.
Mercy Parish Nurse and Health Ministry, established in 1991, also offers education, networking, consultation, collaboration, problem solving and encouragement to approximately 3,500 parish nurses and other health ministers nationwide. With a focus on the needs of the whole person, parish nurses epitomize the art and science of nursing by providing care to the 60 percent, ever mindful of the connection between faith and health.
Dorothy Mayernik, RN, MSN, manager of the Mercy Parish Nurse and Health Ministry Program, surprised Nancy Kapp with a handmade prayer shawl on a recent home visit.
» Learn more about our ministry, Parish Nurse Program
