Spirituality and Medicine: can the two walk together, summarizes the Howard University Hospital's Seminar Series on Spirituality and Medicine over a ten-year period, from 1998-2007. It meticulously presents a compelling discussion through five chapters which summarize such titles as, Perspectives on death and dying, The spiritual side of medicine: the art and science of healing, The power of faith and the use of prayer, Renewing the mind and its impact on health and The scientific and spiritual aspects of the soul. The foundation for the discussion is grounded in the history of medicine and cultural anthropology and is explicated in a "reader friendly" fashion throughout the text. As the discussion integrates various aspects of the union of spirituality and medicine, helpful tools are provided that shed light on relevant legal and scientific issues concerned with end of life care. The book includes a glossary of terms that is very helpful to the reader. The scientific information presented is based upon fact and the standards of medical research as published in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, many testimonials attesting to the connection of spirituality and health and the first-hand knowledge of physicians and clergy experiencing this connection are also included. The language, content and context of this book are designed in such a way as to appeal to readers from all walks of life and leave them with the resounding conclusion that spirituality and health have always and shall continue, to walk together.

Spirituality and Medicine: can the two walk together, summarizes the Howard University Hospital's Seminar Series on Spirituality and Medicine over a ten-year period, from 1998-2007. It meticulously presents a compelling discussion through five chapters which summarize such titles as, Perspectives on death and dying, The spiritual side of medicine: the art and science of healing, The power of faith and the use of prayer, Renewing the mind and its impact on health and The scientific and spiritual aspects of the soul. The foundation for the discussion is grounded in the history of medicine and cultural anthropology and is explicated in a "reader friendly" fashion throughout the text. As the discussion integrates various aspects of the union of spirituality and medicine, helpful tools are provided that shed light on relevant legal and scientific issues concerned with end of life care. The book includes a glossary of terms that is very helpful to the reader. The scientific information presented is based upon fact and the standards of medical research as published in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, many testimonials attesting to the connection of spirituality and health and the first-hand knowledge of physicians and clergy experiencing this connection are also included. The language, content and context of this book are designed in such a way as to appeal to readers from all walks of life and leave them with the resounding conclusion that spirituality and health have always and shall continue, to walk together.

When one investigates the literal landscape in search of a manual that discusses how spirituality and medicine can be translated in the ministry and medical professions, not much is found. Drs. Hodges and Betton have breached this chasm and produced a manuscript devoted to the Christian perspective of translating these two important cultural paradigms. Over the past 10 years, these authors have convened several of this nation's leaders in the spirituality and medicine disciplines, through the annual Howard University Hospital Spirituality and Medicine Seminar Series. In June of 2009, they identified 11 persons who represent both medicine and ministry (pastors/preachers and physicians) and spent an entire day discussing ways to inform the public of the outcome of their discussions. The result is this wonderful, pocket-sized manual entitled, Translating Spirituality and Medicine in the Healing Professions. It is filled with cutting-edge, bed-side tips to help the physician, academician, pastoral care counselor, community minister/pastor and lay person when they extend their care to those in need, whether these persons are hospitalized, in an extended care facility, hospice environment, or in their personal homes. The manual is divided into four, thought provoking chapters, each ending with a section devoted to translating the topic into practice. Chapter one discusses the healthcare practitioner and his/her call to the ministry. It places particular emphasis on the primacy of one over the other. Chapter two provides resources available to both the pastoral care professional and the healthcare practitioner-clergy person when tackling general health issues and end-of-life care. Examples of living wills, advance directives, and Internet resources are provided. Chapter three discusses the important topic of avoiding burnout (both healthcare professional and clergy) and Chapter four discusses the health-faith paradigm, devoting its emphasis on engaging the parishioner. A special section, "thinking outside of the box" is also included. It highlights daunting neighborhood issues and explains how the church employed very effective techniques to create positive change A concluding section contains a wealth of resources that are particularly useful examples for the professional or laity when translating these two important disciplines in the healing professions. Reverend Mark J. Wade, MD, Associate Pastor, True Vine Christian Center, Fair Lawn, NJ