Detroit — “They say there are no atheists in foxholes. Maybe there are no atheists on operating tables.” Ray Guarendi, a clinical psychologist, was emceeing a first (sold-out) fundraising dinner for a new medical clinic for women and their children. He was responding to Sister Dede Byrne, a medical doctor and religious sister, who was explaining that when she — in a white habit — treats patients, she’s sure to lovingly treat the whole person, body, mind, and soul. For example: If she’s treating a Catholic couple living together outside of marriage and one of them needs to go under anesthesia for a surgery — even if relatively minor — she will write a prescription for the Sacrament of Confession. A nun can get away with that. But it needs to be more than her offering such spiritually healing opportunities.
Heart of Christ Clinic is the new mission here. It’s cutting-edge medicine meant to treat the whole person. During a panel, Dr. Kristin Collier, an assistant professor of medicine at University of Michigan Medical School, cites a leader in palliative care who notes the real impact that unaddressed spiritual pain can have on pain-controlling medical care at the end of life. Attracting women of all ages, the clinic aims to help with healing well before the final season of life.
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