Healing the Whole Person
From the beginning, Franciscans have given spiritual comfort and physical aid to the suffering. Even before attracting his first followers, St. Francis served the lepers around Assisi. From that time on, there have been Franciscan nurses whose service goes beyond their technical and medical skills to provide healing in mind, body, and spirit.
Whether within their own friaries or in public hospital settings, Franciscan nurses work to bring God’s compassionate touch to their patients.
Br. Paul Clark completed his PhD in Nursing in 2010. Last year, Br. Paul participated in the Saint Albert Initiative at Bellarmine University. Working towards a deeper understanding of how faith and science can enrich each other, the initiative gives students an opportunity to explore science through the lens of Catholic thought.
At the University of Louisville School of Nursing, Br. Paul teaches and researches key nursing issues such as workplace bullying and stress. He is also a nurse scientist at Baptist Health Louisville. He has co-authored 20+ peer-reviewed publications and led many peer-reviewed presentations on topics that include reducing stress, along with improving retention and workplace engagement among emergency department nurses.
Even on days when he’s wearing a tie rather than his habit, Br. Paul brings to his students and patients the same commitment to care and attention that St. Francis brought to the lepers.
Happy International Nurses Day!
