By Mary Davis
As members of the NACC Certification Commission, we always look forward to their July meeting, because we get face time with the interview team educators, the group that advises the people responsible for interviewing members applying for certification.
The ITEs, well led by Carolanne Hauck, are a diverse group of passionate people, dedicated to ensuring that certification interviews are conducted in the light of the NACC’s mission, vision, and values. They are constantly reviewing and enhancing their work with interview teams to provide considerate and competent interviews for certification applicants.
Our joint meeting time focused on the number of standards that may need clarification in an interview. The ITEs set goals for the coming year to enhance the ministry formation of interviewers, explore assessment of applicants’ cultural competence in interviews, and to continue developing the role of the ITE within the overall certification process.
After meeting with the ITEs, the Certification Commission reviewed presenters’ reports from recent interviews and the decisions to grant, deny, or offer another interview for applicants following discernment of the interview teams’ recommendations. Materials for members’ renewal of certification paperwork are likewise thoroughly reviewed, with decisions made to renew certification or request more clarity and information. Often these reviews spark lively conversation and deeply touch the hearts of the Certification Commission members. Our responsibility is not taken lightly, and decisions are made in the integrity of the NACC mission, vision, and values.
Left to right: Lindsey Tews (NACC administrative specialist/certification),
Jane Smith, Julie Houser, Gordon Hilsman, Linda Bronersky, John Bucchino,
Mary Davis, Judith Shemkovitz, Joe Bozzelli (not pictured: Linda Arnold).
Some topics discussed at the July meeting include: retired certification renewal requirements; stewardship of certification-related expenses; potential for other certification levels; NACC glossary additions related to NACC standards; future implementation of new standards from the USCCB review; further refinement of the palliative care/hospice specialty certification competencies and process; and clarifying the roles of the Certification Commission chair and vice chair. We thanked Mr. Joseph Bozzelli, D.Min., and Sr. Julie Houser, CSJ, who are completing their second term on the Certification Commission, and look forward to new persons joining us in 2015!
While our meetings are very full and often intense, the fulfillment of volunteering for the work of NACC carries us forward and leaves us feeling more energized than we were when we arrived. If you speak with an interview team member, ITE or Certification Commissioner, please thank them for their part in ensuring that NACC lives out its values in the certification and renewal of certification process!
Congratulations to our newly certified members!
The following newly certified chaplains participated in a certification interview in May 2014 and were reviewed by the NACC Certification Commission at its July meeting. We are excited to welcome these 40 newly certified chaplains and celebrate with them the culmination of their certification process.
Sr. Regina Aviso, Carm.O.L., Seattle, WA
Mrs. Susan Balling, Butte, MT
Mrs. Karin Barrett, St. Paul, MN
Mr. Frederico Borche-Gianelli, Los Angeles, CA
Rev. Leonard Chuwa, A.J., Jacksonville. FL
Ms. Patricia Crowley, New Orleans, LA
Rev. Alejandro De Jesus, OSB, Augusta, ME
Sr. Mary Ellen Diermeir, SSJ-TOSF, Hatley, WI
Rev. Abayneh Gebremichael, Brockton, MA
Dr. Margaret Hardebeck, Covington, KY
Mrs. Helen Hofmayer, Northport, NY
Sr. Janet Husung, CSJ, Los Angeles, CA
Ms. Geri Jones, Richmond, VA
Rev. Jean-Ridly Julien, Stamford, CT
Rev. Donatian Kaigima, Anchorage, AK
Mr. Jesse Keane, Boulder, CO
Mrs. Marguerite Kronberger, Minooka, IL
Dr. Tina Lightner-Morris, Gaithersburg, MD
Mrs. Agnes Lugira, Woburn, MA
Mrs. Jennifer MacDonald, Bellingham, WA
Mr. John Mastalski, Redding, CA
Ms. Theresa McCarthy-Maynard, St. James, NY
Sr. Donna Maria Moses, OP, Los Altos, CA
Rev. James Ojo, Brookline, MA
Mrs. Mary Susan O’Keeffe, Bellerose, NY
Rev. Patrick Okwumuo, Billings, MT
Rev. Casmir Onyegwara, Washington, DC
Rev. Emmanuel Otiaba, Seaford, NY
Mrs. Marzena Przeszlo, Chicago, IL
Sr. Rita Radecki, OSF, Bryan, TX
Mr. Albert Rinaldi, Lakeview, NY
Mrs. Linda Rodgers, Ann Arbor, MI
Mr. Harrison Roper, Hewitt, TX
Rev. Mr. James Siler, Lake City, MI
Ms. Pamela Sipos, Shoreline, WA
Mrs. Angela Smerz, Kailua, HI
Rev. Joseph Tharackal, Hollis, NY
Mrs. Dawn Turpin, Wading River, NY
Rev. Clement Umoenoh, Bronx, NY
