Last November it was announced that Bon Secours Health System (BSHS) and Saint Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth (SPPU) partnered to provide ongoing professional development programmes for those in Allied Healthcare, professional and administration roles, and people working in Pastoral Care or Chaplaincy in hospital and community settings.
The first module in this level 9 suite of programmes – Catholic Healthcare Ethics in the 21st Century – was launched at an event in Maynooth on 25 January by the President of Saint Patrick’s Pontifical University, Rev Prof Michael Mullaney and Mr Bill Maher, Group Chief Executive Officer at Bon Secours Health System.
This for-credit module can be taken as a standalone short course or combined with further modules and a research project to attain a Postgraduate Diploma. Students will be able to select modules in the fields of Ethics, Pastoral Care and Values Based Leadership. Each module – delivered through the SPPU online learning platform and by industry leading professionals – offers freedom to engage at a time that suits the participant.
Commenting on the launch of the Ethics module, Professor Mullaney, said: “Following the signing of the agreement between both organisations in November last, I am delighted to join Bill Maher and his team today to launch the first module in Ethics. At SPPU we see our role as being at the forefront of Catholic education and ensuring professionals in the field have adequate skills to make a real difference in the lives of those they serve. Our partnership with Bon Secours Health System is a further step on our collaborative journey with organisations who share our values.”
The development of these online programmes is part of SPPUs commitment to delivering the highest levels of teaching and learning in order to promote intellectual, human and professional development. The programmes for Bon Secours Health System will be offered through the University’s Centre for Mission and Ministries and led by Dr Jessie Rogers, Dean of the Faculty of Theology.
Bill Maher added: “We are delighted to partner with SPPU, providing a bursary to develop a continuous education initiative in line with our mission to provide compassionate and exceptional medical care to those in need. This partnership is a step forward in advancing the education and training of healthcare and pastoral care professionals, offering them the opportunity to develop their ethical leadership, ultimately benefiting our national community.”
In response to challenges of equipping people of faith to minister in a changing environment, SPPU recently established its Centre for Mission & Ministries. The Centre continues to expand in terms of academic output and programme choice. At its core, the centre is actively enabling new models of lay leadership within the modern church and society in areas including Pastoral care, Chaplaincy, Liturgy, Church Music, and Youth Ministry. The Micro-Credential Modules in partnership with Bon Secours Health System will be delivered from within this Centre for Mission and Ministries.
Saint Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth, is part of the wider Maynooth academic family founded in 1795, with an impressive reputation for scholarship and learning in Catholic Theology and Philosophy. Based in Maynooth on a beautiful heritage campus, SPPU attracts staff and students from across the globe.
As Ireland’s largest independent hospital group, Bon Secours Health System is renowned for the quality of its service provision coupled with a rich tradition in healthcare. Bon Secours Health System CLG is a not-for-profit organisation with its mission centred on providing compassionate, world class medical treatment to all those it serves. With more than 4,000 staff, 500 leading consultants, Bon Secours treats more than 300,000 patients annually in its five modern acute hospitals in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Tralee as well as operating a Care Village in Cork.
ENDS
