Welcome to the First Issue of Aurora Faith and Community Health News!

Advocate Aurora Health merged almost two years ago. This new organization has given us the opportunity to expand our support for faith communities of all religious traditions as places of healing and wholeness to our sites in Wisconsin. We hope that you will find the information helpful and that you will be in touch with us to share your ideas and recommendations.

So much of our health is influenced by our relationships and the environments where we live. Faith communities have always led in creating supportive connections among people and in advocating for positive and just environments where all people can live well. We see you as our key partners in our shared work to ensure equitable health outcomes for all of our communities.

We look forward to partnering with you in meeting the health needs of our neighborhoods. Anya Gordon, our Faith and Community Health Specialist, is your first contact for exploring ways we can work together. Our Faith Community Nurses serve specific congregations as members of the congregational team to promote health, help members navigate the health care system, and integrate spirituality into health care. Our chaplains are there to work with you to meet the spiritual needs of your members when they come to our hospitals.

All the best to you as we begin a new year of hopeful opportunity.

Rev. Kirsten Peachey, MSW, MDiv, DMin
Director, Faith and Health Partnerships
Co-Director, The Center for Faith and Community Health Transformation
Advocate Aurora Health
Welcome, Anya!

Anya recently began a new role at Advocate Aurora Health, serving as Program Specialist on Faith and Community Health in the Wisconsin region.

Anya Gordon has a passion for helping others. Through her new role at Advocate Aurora Health, she is able to do just that – and make a direct impact on her community.

“This role is well suited for me,” she said. “It’s in line with my personal passion and interest. I believe in this work.”

Anya supports the work of faith leaders and their congregations to improve health outcomes for their members and the communities they serve. Among her responsibilities, she provides consultation, education and resources for faith leaders, congregations and faith-based entities around faith-rooted health promotion. She also builds the capacity of faith communities to be places that support the health, resilience and well-being of their members and of the communities they serve.

Read more about the experience and education Anya brings to her new role.
Healing Cards Lift Patients' Spirits

Something magical seems to happen whenever Chaplain Rabbi Aggie Goldenholz (left) offers get-well cards to the patients she visits. “The Healing cards lift the spirits of patients who receive them,” said Goldenholz, a chaplain at Advocate Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Milwaukee. “The patients are reminded that someone – even a stranger – cares about them.” Read more here.
Remembering Wanda

Condolences to family and friends of Wanda Nye who passed away on Dec. 4. Wanda served as a utilization review nurse at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee, and as an Aurora Health faith community nurse at St. Matthias and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic churches in Milwaukee. Learn more about the contributions Wanda made here .
February is American Heart Month
Share this American Heart Month bulletin insert and worship slide with your faith community:




  • Bulletin inserts on many other topics are available in our archive.  

American Heart Month Events in Wisconsin




American Heart Month Resources

  • Go Red for Women - Have Faith in Heart Toolkit. "Ending heart disease and stroke in women."

  • EmPOWERED to Serve - a platform inspired by American Heart Association volunteers around the country who are passionate about driving change through health justice and empowerment in their communities.

  • Healthy for Good - A healthy living movement to inspire you to create lasting change in your health and your life, one small step at a time. The approach is simple: Eat smart. Add color. Move more. Be well.
Other Upcoming Events
  • Retreat: "Soul of Aging: Claiming Your Life As It Is," Jan. 31-Feb. 2, Cedar Valley Retreat Center, West Bend, WI.

  • Webinar: Adverse Childhood Experiences as a Risk Factor for Complicated Grief, Feb. 20, 11:00 a.m.-12:30p.m.

  • Faith and Freedom Bus Tour to Alabama, March 13-20 or March 20-27. Departs from Milwaukee.
Resources

  • Find a Behavioral Health Specialist
  • Services and Treatment
  • Programs for Adults, Children and Adolescents
  • And More!


  • Weight Management Programs
  • Integrative Health Coaching
  • National and Local Resources
  • Fitness and Wellness Centers
  • And More!


To get daily articles on a host of health topics that come to you via email, subscribe to our  Health eNews service. 

All Advocate Aurora Hospitals offer classes on health topics. See Wisconsin classes or events. Select a Hospital/Medical Center and click on search to see what is being offered in your area.
Course and Certificate Opportunities

  • Companion in Ministry Program
  • Contemplative Renewal Welcomes Applications
  • Online Health Minister Certificate Program
  • Clinical Pastoral Education
  • Come Alive! Program for a More Abundant Spiritual and Physical Life

See details on these events here.
Spanish Language Resources Available

Advocate Aurora recently launched the Hispanic Pilot Program on social media to better connect with the Hispanic communities it serves.

If your language settings include Spanish on Facebook, check out Advocate Aurora's posts, like this one featuring the first Spanish health e news story with tips on how to be healthier in the new year.
Holidays and Observances
Feb. 1-2: Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple - Christianity
Feb. 3: Setsebun Sai - Shinto
Feb. 7: Damma Day - Buddhism
Feb. 8: Lantern Festival - Taoism
Feb. 10: Tu B’Shevat - Judaism
Feb. 15: Nirvana Day – Buddhism
Feb. 16-18: Losar (New Year) Buddhism
Feb. 22: Maha Shivaratri – Hinduism
Feb. 25: Sri Ramakrishna – Hinduism
Feb. 25: Ayyam-i-Ha begins – Baha’i
Feb. 26: Ash Wednesday - Christianity
We Want to Hear From You!

We hope you find this update helpful as you promote the health of your members and community. Please contact Cindy Novak or Anya Gordon if you have topics you'd like us to address or if you have questions or concerns.
Advocate Aurora Faith and Health Partnerships | AdvocateAuroraHealth


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