Vanderbilt University Medical Center Hospital, established over 120 years ago, is licensed for over 800 beds and has over 15,000 employees. The medical center is an educational and research tertiary care medical center with the only Level I trauma center in the area. Its mission is “to bring the full measure of human knowledge, talent and compassion to bear on the healing of sickness and injury and the advancement of health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.”
An increasingly diverse population requires the hospital to consider a number of new multicultural issues, including a multiplicity of spiritual needs. CPE students can learn and do ministry with all ages and with those from many faith groups and cultures. Students are exposed to the wide range of opportunities provided by a patient care research-focused institution with the accompanying resources of libraries, divinity and medical schools, and other health disciplines as well as numerous religious communities. CPE students provide care along side the pastoral care staff and community clergy who assist in pastoral care evenings and week-ends.
The pastoral care staff members represent a variety of denominations. Current pastoral care staff includes the director, part-time administrative assistant, and full-time staff chaplains.