Health & Wellness Ministry
St. Luke’s Health & Wellness Ministry is part of the parish outreach effort to support people struggling with the complexities of the medical establishment.  While the ministry does not provide financial support or medical advice, it helps individuals or families ask more of the right questions to get the support and services they need when faced with hospitalization or ongoing medical concerns.  Patient advocates will take the time to sit with the patient and/or family to hear their real concerns and provide guidance in where to go to get questions answered and explore the best treatment options.

Hospitals are intimidating for those who are unfamiliar with their systems and practices. Doctors and nurses are stretched in their effort to provide the best care to as many patients as possible. People who live alone, and whose families are distant are particularly challenged when faced with medical conditions that require hospitalization.    Patient Advocates can help relive some of the anxiety and make the experience less intimidating for patients and families.  While most patient advocates are not trained medical professionals, their experience and ability in dealing with medical systems and procedures is often helpful to those less practiced in dealing with the medical community.  

Health & Wellness Advocate
Janet Chisholm, St. Luke’s Health & Wellness Advocate, has more than a decade of experience in helping people negotiate the medical system.  Her life in advocacy began as she struggled to get the care needed and questions answered when her own  relatives faced complex cancer treatment regimes and end-of-life issues.  Her gifts in this ministry include her faith-filled compassion, earnest desire to support people in need and dogged willingness to ask for help on behalf of others.  Janet’s experience includes advocacy at several hospitals, training in Hospice Care and other areas that support professional medicine.

Currently,The Health & Wellness ministry is tentatively scheduled to begin providing Health and Wellness seminars for Toni's Kitchen Guests. The initial seminars (not to exceed 15 minutes) will focus on: Use of A Gluocomoter; Diabetes Monitoring; and Foot Care.The Ministry will provide one-on-one guest advocacy services to help provide assessments and follow-up to other areas needed by Toni's Kitchen guests.


Future informational events will be focused on matters such as Advance Directives; Funeral and Will Planning; and other matters that are relative to our senior popuation.

If you would like to know more about this ministry or would like advocacy support for yourself or a family member or friend, please contact Janet Chisholm directly at chisholm@slechurch.org or call the church office at 973-744-6220.