Sponsored by Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University believes including theology with technical and clinical education is key to preparing its students for the healthcare workforce. On the surface, learning theology basics prepares students to work within the values of the many faith-based healthcare facilities in Louisiana and across the nation. FranU faculty believe that’s just the beginning.
FranU’s mission is to educate and form Franciscan servant leaders of all faiths. Its faculty aims to prepare highly skilled professionals, integrated thinkers, and faith-filled citizens for careers in the healthcare field. All of this starts with an Introduction to Theology class.
David L. Whidden III, Ph.D. and FranU vice president for mission and professor of theology says a lot of students ask why theology is required. To some students, learning the basics of theology doesn’t seem to be related to learning skills to be a radiology tech or nurse.
Dr. Whidden says that students will encounter patients in suffering throughout their healthcare education and careers. Exploring principles of theology and Catholic or Christian traditions can help new healthcare professionals uncover what suffering may mean to each patient they see. Learning works of mercy through a theological lens can guide students through difficult cases.
“Many healthcare professionals are going to be entering into the lives of people when they’re suffering,” says Dr. Whidden. “Because they’re going to see a lot of tough situations, we believe healthcare professionals need to be not just professionally prepared to deal with that, they need to be intellectually and spiritually prepared to deal with that as well.”
As a Catholic institution, FranU believes providing theology education challenges students to ask what kind of person they want to be with their patients and what place God might have in the care they give those patients. Healthcare providers are often sharing in the most difficult of situations for their patients. An understanding of theology teaches students to virtuously manage emotions in the toughest of times for their patients.
“It’s very clear a lot of our patients will have these sorts of moments of belief and doubt about God in the face of suffering, and likewise, so will our students,” Dr. Whidden explains.
Dr. Whidden says theology studies guide students in acting as ethical practitioners too, particularly when it comes to dignity at the beginning and end of life care. Understanding the theology behind faith-based ethics helps prepare students to encounter patients and their families with confidence and clarity in difficult situations.
Ultimately, FranU uses theology to prepare healthcare students emotionally, morally and spiritually early in their educational journey for future situations.
“We help our students learn what it means to be courageous in healthcare, to be wise, to pursue justice for patients and colleagues, and virtuously manage emotions in difficulty when providing care,” Dr. Whidden continues. “We want students to think about those issues before they go in, so they’re prepared to do that work going forward.”
