Cox to Serve as Genesee Faith Community Nurse
The Rev. Diane Cox of the Genesee Region Initiative has completed Parish Nurse Ministries of New York, Inc.’s training to become a Faith Community Nurse.
Cox, a registered nurse, was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Sean in January. In her new ministry, she will care for individuals and groups in the Genesee congregations and their communities, and form relationships with other health care professionals who can provide training, outreach and education about health issues.
“Healthcare is becoming extremely challenging and more difficult, and people are needing to have advocates to help them receive the appropriate health care they require,” Cox says. “They might not know how to access it … and they’re falling through the cracks. It’s that bridge between hospital and home, or checking in with families who have family members who have cancer or who are on comfort care. If they don’t know how to access care or where to go, I can be their advocate.”
She hopes, over time, to establish an end-of-life doula program in collaboration with a local hospice to help older parishioners ensure that their wills, healthcare powers-of- attorney, and other documents and plans are in place.
Lois Tripp, recently retired president of Parish Nurse Ministries of New York and member of St. Peter’s, Eggertsville, introduced Cox to the Faith Community Nurse training program, which included 40 hours of education. Tripp supported Cox during the program, which included weekly lectures, reflections and discussions with clergy, lawyers, nurse practitioners, and experienced faith community nurses.
“As a registered nurse, you’re always taking care of people, but as a faith community nurse, you’re taking care of body, mind and spirit,” Tripp says. “Diane will be able to pray with people, help people understand their diagnoses, reach out to doctors, and help with transitions when people can’t continue to live independently.”
Tripp, who first met Cox through Education for Ministry, says that from the very beginning, “I saw a parish nurse in her–a kind heart, the knowledge that she has. The more I got to know her, the more I could see that she is a servant. I think it’s a perfect match.”
This article was originally published on the Episcopal Partnership website.