In mid-February, Dr. Daniel Hinshaw, sessional professor of Palliative Care at St. Vladimir's, traveled to the University of Balamand in Lebanon with his wife, Dr. Jane Carnahan Hinshaw, a psychiatrist. Both are professors at the University of Michigan as well as visiting professors at Balamand, and while there they offered presentations at a conference on care for the elderly, organized by the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology. The event was blessed by His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.
"At Balamand," noted Dr. Jane Hinshaw, "Fr. Bassam Nassif has been pioneering work in pastoral theology, placing some of his students in the nursing home, taking them to the prison during each term, and encouraging Fr. George Mokbel, the first Orthodox chaplain at the St. George Hospital in Beirut. The Institute of Theology's ministry to the sick and dying is growing, as is their connection to St. Vladimir's Seminary, since Fr. Adrian Budica, the Seminary's CPE Supervisor and Director of Field Education, has agreed to serve as a virtual mentor to Fr. George.
"We have been very impressed with the faculty and staff here at the theological institute," continued Dr. Jane Hinshaw. "Many of the students have really been searching for practical applications of their theological training in the form of pastoral ministry. We were blessed to spend this time with them introducing some options for ministry to the sick and dying, which several of them have already been demonstrating in their loving work with residents at a nearby nursing facility."
While at Balamand, the Hinshaws also taught an intensive class similar to ones they have taught at SVOTS during January terms and summer sessions. Additionally, Jane explained that "since class is in the evening we have had time during the day to visit many monasteries. We have also been able to sit and talk with many of the impressive monastics. It has been an experience of incredible beauty and warmth!"
Both doctors spent time in teaching and conferences at Beirut's St. George Hospital before returning to their teaching posts and medical practices in Michigan. While in Beirut, they enjoyed meeting with alumnus Metropolitan Elias (Audi), who graduated from St. Vladimir's in 1969.
MORE ABOUT THE HINSHAWS
The Institute of Theology's story about the Hinshaws' visit
A seminar at St. Vladimir's
Dr. Rossi interviews Dr. Jane Hinshaw for his podcast, Becoming a Healing Presence
Dr. Hinshaw's appointment as Sessional Professor of Palliative Care
