Monday, July 19, 2010

Registered nurses, clergy, and others interested in parish nursing and congregational health can take part in a professional development conference this fall at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW). The conference will be held for six consecutive Tuesdays beginning Sept. 7 on CUW’s Mequon campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Since 1989, CUW has offered many educational opportunities in congregational health ministries. This conference has introduced over 3,000 nurses, and others, to the concept of Christian caregiving as a parish nurse, as well strategies to begin a congregational health ministry.

Some of the topics that will be covered during the conference include: Christian caregiving in the context of congregational health; setting up a parish nurse practice and office; roles and models of parish nursing; and serving people in crisis.           

“Due to many complex factors in our society - including short hospital stays, changing family structures, the aging population, rising insurance costs, an increase in chronic diseases - we are recognizing the impact the church can have on wholistic health and brokenness,” said Dr. Carol Lueders-Bolwerk, director of Parish Nurse Ministries at Concordia University Wisconsin. “The fact that we get health professionals from all over the world enrolling in our conferences is a real testament to CUW’s commitment to the mission of service to Christ in the Church and in the World,” she added.

For more information on the fall conference, or to register, contact Dr. Carol Lueders Bolwerk at carol.luedersbolwerk@cuw.edu, or 262-243-4233. Registration for on-site participation is $560 (meals are not included). The course also may be taken via “E-learning” for $710.

Founded in 1881, Concordia University Wisconsin's main campus is located on approximately 200 acres of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline at 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon. The university and its 17 Concordia centers and classroom locations are home to 7,178 undergraduate and graduate, traditional, as well as non-traditional students from 44 states and 26 foreign countries. The university offers 60 undergraduate majors, 14 master's degree programs, doctoral degrees in Pharmacy, Physical Therapy and Nursing Practice. There are also a variety of adult learning opportunities.

The university is affiliated with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is a member of the Concordia University System, a nationwide network of colleges and universities. For more information on Concordia University Wisconsin, contact the university at 262-243-4300 or visit their web site at www.cuw.edu.

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