Episode 4 – Sr. Penny Dunn

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In this episode of Courageous Paths of Hope and Healing, Sr. Penny Dunn shares about the role of memory and faith, and that challenge of seeing God’s presence and faithfulness in the midst of trials. With a focus on prayer, hope, and gratitude, Sister speaks to the importance of leaders who can discern and lead with wisdom and courage, embracing our faith-based identity and living out humankindness now and in years to come.

Sr. Penny Dunn, OSF is Vice President of Mission Integration for CHI St. Joseph Health System in Bryan, Texas. She has ministered at St. Joseph’s since 2011. Prior to working in health care Sister was Director of Faith Formation for twenty-six years in Catholic Parishes in Ohio, Corsicana, Texas and her home state of Minnesota.

Sr. Penny is the only child of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Dunn. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis, of Sylvania, Ohio in 1982. She holds a Masters in Theology from the University of Dallas and has special interest in spirituality and psychology. In her spare time, she loves to walk, swim and enjoy Texas sunsets.

Read the Heritage Story by Sr. Penny: CHI Texas 1918 Pandemic Story Sr Penny Dunn

Listen to this episode (~41 minutes)

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Episode 3 – George West

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In this episode of Courageous Paths of Hope and Healing, George West shares about his formation journey and his time as a monk, lawyer, chaplain, and mission leader. He connects his story with that of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, and explores how the history of the “walking nuns” relates to the courage of our current-day caregivers serving in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Words of encouragement about the adaptability and agility of the sisters – and how our health care ministry embraces a culture of resilience, innovation, and agility – reminds us that this work is more than a job; it is a calling that takes faith and courage.

George joined St. John’s as a chaplain in 1998 advancing to role of Director of Spiritual Care at St. John’s Hospitals in 2005.  He worked to improve the quality of spiritual care and innovate its delivery.  He became a certified Compassion Fatigue & Resilience Educator through the Figley Institute (Tulane University) and achieved certification in Crisis Spiritual Care by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, linking caregiver fatigue with moral distress.  George was called to become St. John’s Vice President of Mission Integration in 2009 and Service Area Vice President of Mission Integration in 2016.  He is now the Division Vice President of Mission Integration, California Central Coast. He holds two Bachelor’s degrees—Philosophy & Theology, an M.A. in Philosophy from the Claremont Graduate University, and a J.D. from Whittier College School of Law.  His teams have received local, system and national recognition.  In addition to his Division responsibilities, he currently represents Dignity Health in the statewide Whole Person Care Initiative and serves as 24/7 Bioethicist for St. John’s. He has presented nationally on topics in Compassion Fatigue, Moral Distress, Bioethics & Axiology.

Listen to this episode (~26 minutes)

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Episode 2 – Sr. Margaret McBride

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In this episode of Courageous Paths of Hope and Healing. Sr. Margaret McBride shares about her experience as a mission leader in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Words of encouragement and wisdom, coupled with a reminder of God’s faithfulness in the midst of crisis, make this an insightful and uplifting episode.

Sister Margaret Mary McBride was born and raised in San Francisco, California. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Burlingame, California in 1968. Sister Margaret received her BSN from the University of San Francisco in 1974 and her Master’s in Public Administration from USF in 1995. Sister has spent 46 years in healthcare in a variety of roles and responsibilities and currently serves as the Division Vice President for Mission Integration for Dignity Health in Arizona. She serves on a variety of Boards in the Phoenix community involved with hospice care, behavioral health and a quality committee for a Medicaid program in Arizona. Sister Margaret currently serves as a Board Member for Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield, California.

Read the Heritage Story by Sr Margaret: St. Joseph’s Hospital & the TB Outbreak

Listen to this episode (~28 minutes)

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Episode 1 – Welcome

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Welcome to the Formation Innovation podcast and the first episode of our Courageous Paths of Hope and Healing series! In this series, we explore stories of faith, compassion, and kindness from history and legacy of CommonSpirit Health. Through conversations with sisters and mission leaders, we will gain a glimpse not only of the courageous paths of those who have gone before us, but, of the reality that God is present and with us even now in the midst of our healing ministry.

Listen to this episode (~2 minutes)

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