Episcopal Health Services’ Pastoral Education Program Strengthened by National Recognition of Accreditor
Far Rockaway, New York, September 5, 2025 — Episcopal Health Services (EHS) is proud to announce that its Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Training program, accredited by the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy, will now offer expanded career opportunities for graduates following a recent national designation.
The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) and the Board of Chaplaincy Certification, Inc. have recognized the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy as an approved provider of CPE toward national certification. As a result, EHS trainees who complete the program and later achieve chaplaincy board certification will now meet eligibility requirements for positions with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other institutions.
“Our Clinical Pastoral Education Program has long prepared future chaplains to deliver compassionate, person-centered care,” said Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM, CEO of Episcopal Health Services. “This new recognition affirms the excellence of our program, while opening important new pathways for our graduates to extend their service, including to our nation’s veterans who deserve the very best in spiritual care.”
The EHS Clinical Pastoral Education and Training Program provides supervised, hands-on experience in spiritual care for patients, families, and team members in a diverse hospital setting. Through its national accreditation, the program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, professional development, and holistic support for communities facing complex health challenges.
“This is a powerful affirmation of the work our trainees and supervisors do every day,” said Pastor Asnel Valcin, Psy.D., BCCC, Director of Pastoral Care & Education at EHS. “With this approval, our graduates can bring their skills to a broader range of institutions, including the VA, where the need for professional chaplaincy is profound.”
For more information about Episcopal Health Services’ Clinical Pastoral Education and Training Program, please visit https://ehs.org/medical-education/clinical-pastoral-education/.
About Episcopal Health Services
Episcopal Health Services Inc., (EHS) is a health system located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, New York. The system provides emergency and ambulatory care to the densely populated, culturally and economically diverse, and medically underserved Rockaways and Five Towns populations. The system provides people of all faiths with comprehensive preventive, diagnostic treatment, and rehabilitative services, regardless of their ability to pay.