Steinbach and Area Chaplains Association, along with Southern Health, are pleased to announce the hiring of a new temporary spiritual care provider at Bethesda Regional Health Center.
Gary Dyke will replace Lydia Somerville-Dweck, who will be on maternity leave until 2025.
Stan Friesen, Chairman of the Bethesda Pastoral Advisory Board, said:
“We are excited to have Gary come and take care of our community. He comes from a variety of faith and culturally diverse backgrounds in ministry and service, and we are excited to have Gary come and care for our community. is excited to come and serve our diverse community.”
Mr. Friesen said: He loves people, listens to their stories, and meets them where they pray. ”
Friesen explains the role of a spiritual care provider. “Their role is to take care of the residents of Bethesda Place. We have a lot of residents who are their main focus. But we also have a lot of people who go to emergency inpatients at Bethesda Hospital and provide spiritual care. If you request a visit with your provider, Gary will come and pray with you and encourage you. Or if you are from another faith background, he will come and connect you with those faiths. You try to connect it to the background.”
As chair of the Bethesda Chaplains Advisory Committee, Friesen said he works closely with members of Steinbach and the Area Chaplains Association, as well as members of Southern Health. Together, the three of them take on the position of spiritual care provider or chaplaincy and provide some direction.
“At this time, we refer to Lydia Somerville Dweck as a pastor, but as we move toward spiritual care provider, the title has changed. It is a unique partnership between the Regional Minister and the Southern Health Authority.”
Friesen added, “Salary is split 50/50 between the two organizations. And we’ve had a really good relationship with the Southern healthcare providers.”
Friesen said Dyck will stay on on an interim basis until Somerville-Dweck returns from maternity leave. “That’s the plan right now. So we’ll see what happens over the next year and a half and deal with it as we go.”
Friesen said Dyke began orientation at Somerville-Dweck on May 6 and officially began on Monday, May 13.
