As the largest not-for-profit health care provider in Texas, Baylor Scott & White Health is dedicated to providing comprehensive care that includes spiritual support to patients, their families and Baylor Scott & White Health employees Mark Grace M.Div., B.C.C., A.C.P.E., who has been appointed chief mission and ministry officer for the new organization, will lead this work. He is responsible for overseeing pastoral care and chaplaincy programs at Baylor Scott & White Health facilities, as well as programs that take employees and medical resources out into the community and around the world to help those in need.
"Both Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare were built around a charitable mission of serving others. The combination of the two systems only amplifies our ability to carry out that mission," explains Grace, who previously served as vice president of the Office of Mission & Ministry for Baylor Health Care System (BHCS).
Grace first became involved in hospital-based chaplaincy in 1983 when he began his residency in Clinical Pastoral Education at BHCS after graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, he earned board certification from the Association of Professional Chaplains in 1985 and as a Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor in1992. Over his career in chaplaincy, he has provided spiritual support to thousands of patients and families at BHCS hospitals and at Susquehanna Health System in Williamsport, Penn.
"Despite all the incredible advances in technology and treatments available to patients at our facilities, our staff never forgets that there is a spiritual side to the disease and healing process as well," says Grace. "I'm looking forward to addressing these issues in new and innovative ways."
While at BHCS, Grace was instrumental in launching new programs benefitting both staff and those in need in the community. In 2009, he helped found Faith In Action Initiatives (FIAI) – a program that he will continue to direct and expand as chief mission and ministry officer for Baylor Scott & White Health. FIAI develops creative avenues to empower and supply medical missions and health ministries both locally and around the world, as well as strengthen the spiritual lives of staff through employee vocational development programs and opportunities. In addition to his health care ministry, Grace, who is fluent in Spanish, also serves as co-pastor of a bilingual Baptist congregation in one of the nation's most underprivileged zip codes.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Nikki Mitchell
nikkimit@baylorhealth.edu
office: (214) 820-6961
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com