Chaplains from around the world recently engaged in a dialogue on the Pediatric Chaplains Network’s (PCN’s) discussion board about providing spiritual care for transgender patients and their parents.
The Association of Professional Chaplains and Pediatric Chaplains Network approached local chaplains the Rev. Lavender Kelley of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (and president-elect of PCN) and the Rev. Tracy Nolan of Advocate Healthcare about producing educational content for their respective conferences, which will take place in the spring and summer.
“Transgender patients have long been ignored by the medical establishment. This is emblematic of the treatment they have received in society,” said Kelley. “Understanding their context and specific health needs and risks as well as the way those interplay with faith and spirituality is important to well-being and true health.”
The PCN conference will take place in Scottsdale, Arizona, May 2-5. Registration is currently open at PediatricChaplains.org.