Board of Directors of Healthcare Chaplaincy Network Announces 2018 Wholeness Of Life Gala Lifetime Achievement Honoree

NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Board of Directors of HealthCare Chaplaincy Network has unanimously selected the Rev. Eric J. Hall, M.A., M.Div., as the 2018 Wholeness of Life Gala Lifetime Achievement Honoree.

"Eric's leadership has transformed chaplaincy and spiritual care," said HCCN Chairman of the Board Andrew E. Slaby, M.D., Ph.D. "He has moved the entire profession to evidence-based standardization and outcomes-orientated chaplaincy when no one else was even thinking of this direction."

Hall's selection shines a spotlight on the value and importance of spiritual care and on the thousands of chaplains who give meaning and comfort to those who are suffering every day.

"I was surprised to learn the board selected me for such a distinction. This honor I share with the board, staff and supporters of HealthCare Chaplaincy and the Spiritual Care Association. Together we have forever transformed spiritual care and the profession of chaplaincy," said Hall.

Hall became the CEO of HCCN five years ago. In those years, he completely revamped not only the direction of the organization but also changed the direction of the entire field of spiritual care at a national level. In 2016, he launched the Spiritual Care Association (SCA), the first multi-disciplinary international professional membership association for spiritual care providers. SCA has transformed what it means to be a chaplain today.

Under Hall's leadership, there have been four stellar white papers published that have led to important changes in thinking and the practice of spiritual care. He has successfully established SCA offices in 15 countries worldwide and has led efforts in each of those countries to raise awareness about the critical importance of caring for the human spirit. He championed the work that led to the first-ever scope of practice of a professional chaplain and went further to create educational curriculum for each of the quality indicators identified in the scope of practice. He has strongly advanced and defended the importance of a solid academic foundation so that spiritual care is strongly grounded in academic pursuit. To learn more, visit http://www.SpiritualCareAssociation.org.

Hall has tremendous innovation. He popularized the idea of using technology in the work chaplains do today by launching telechaplaincy programs. He has also advocated and lobbied for chaplains in Washington, D.C., like never before. He has already led several successful caucuses among members of Congress and their staff and has helped shape language that one day may result in the ultimate goal of getting the work of chaplains reimbursed. Like a true leader, he constantly reminds everyone that chaplains do what they do in order to help people who need help, and nothing else really matters if the focus is not on the patient and their loved ones.

Hall also serves as the minister of Eastchester Community Church in Eastchester, N.Y., a position he has held since 2002. He is managing partner of ACS (Alzheimer's Care Specialists) LLC, a New York-licensed home care services agency servicing Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Westchester counties.

Every year, HCCN hosts its annual gala, the Wholeness of Life Gala, in order to sustain its ministry. For HCCN, the Wholeness of Life Gala represents the single largest source of awareness-raising and revenue-raising, enabling them to continue the mission to advance the integration of spiritual care in health care through clinical practice, research and education in order to improve patient experience and patient satisfaction, and to help people faced with illness and grief find comfort and meaning?whoever they are, whatever they believe, wherever they are.

This year's gala, which will be held on November 8, will take place at the Lotte New York Palace. Letters of support and congratulations, as well as prayers for Hall and for the work of HCCN can be sent by visiting the website, http://www.healthcarechaplaincy.org or emailing comm(at)healthcarechaplaincy(dot)org.

SOURCE Healthcare Chaplaincy Network