SUPPORT. TRAIN. NURTURE
About Health Ministries Network
An interfaith nonprofit serving Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan Counties.
WHO WE ARE
An Interfaith Community Health Network
Health Ministries Network (HMN) is an interfaith non-profit that initiates, develops and supports health ministry in Northwest Washington.
Faith communities and health systems work in partnership to deliver whole person health and wellness, linking mind, body and spirit.
We train and support faith community nurses (FCNs) and health ministers (HMs) to serve their congregations and community by promoting preventive health care, health equity, and spiritual well-being.
Our philosophy emphasizes mind, body, and spirit holistic health while respecting the principles of faith held by those we serve.
Support
Equipping faith-based health leaders.
Train
Providing education and resources.
Nurture
Strengthening community well-being.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
Education and certification through the Foundations in Faith Community Nursing Course
Continuing education at monthly meetings with rotating topics
Resources in person and online to enhance health ministries
Networking and information exchange
Connection with community and health care agencies
SEE OUR MISSION IN ACTION
Learn more about the work of Health Ministries Network and the community we serve.
OUR STORY
Our History
1984
Parish nursing was conceived as a health care specialty by Granger Westberg, a Chaplain at Lutheran General Hospital in Chicago, who believed in holistic healthcare through faith communities.
1997
Carol Story, a nationally recognized nurse educator in Bellingham, offered the first preparation course at St. Joseph's Hospital using the Westberg Institute curriculum.
2009
The Parish Nurse Program launched the new Health Ministries Network — 83 parish nurses and health ministers across four counties, 18 community organizations, 45 congregations, and 6 hospital departments.
2011
The title "parish nurse" was changed to "faith community nurse" to reflect the broader interfaith scope of the work.
2017
HMN launched as its own nonprofit, with continued support through grants from PeaceHealth, Chuckanut Health Foundation, and private donors.
A NOTE OF GRATITUDE
We would be remiss not to express our gratitude for the faith community nurses, health ministers, physicians, and chaplains who have contributed their time, finances, and support to make this ministry a success. Throughout our history, there have been some shining stars.
Sr. Judy Tralnes · Sr. Agatha Aicher · Sr. Mary Therese Bruening · Barry Meyers, ESQ · Jennifer Johnson, ARNP · Mary Lynne Palmer, RN · Bridget Carney, PhD · Rev Randy Pries · Leona Bergstrom · Elaine Granger, RN & PN · Carol Story, RN · Tisch Lynch, RN · Cheryl Grambo, RN · Donna Gustin, RN · Charles Nelson, PhD · Jeanne Brotherton, RN · Sue Sharpe · Chuckanut Health Foundation · PeaceHealth Spiritual Care · Chris Phillips · Ross Fewing · Rev. Tessie Mandeville · Sharon Somers Hill, RN · Dick Cathell, PhD · Carol Nicolay, EdD, North Sound ACH, Mount Baker Foundation
LEADERSHIP
Meet the Director
Alison (Ali) de La Bruere
Executive Director
Ali was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska. She attended Liberty University in Virginia where she studied Kinesiology/Exercise Science and ran Track & Field. After living in Colorado for a brief year, she landed in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, closer to family in Alaska.
Ali has been in the nonprofit field since 2017, holding various responsibilities in management and operations. She has been the director of Health Ministries Network since August of 2023.
Outside of HMN, you can find Ali coaching Cross-Country/Track & Field, fishing, hiking, trail running with Freya, skiing, mountain or road biking, practicing yoga, or volunteering to direct races for the Greater Bellingham Running Club (GBRC). On the weekends, she attends Hillcrest Church in Fairhaven.
ADVISORY BOARD
Meet The Board
The Health Ministries Network Board of Directors are members of faith communities, healthcare professions, and the wider community.
Rebecca Cavanaugh
MN, RN
Faith Community Nurse
Board Chair
Joni Hensley
RN-BC, BSN, CIC, FCN
Faith Community Nurse
Kristen Thompson
RD
Kate Massey
HM
Kimiyo Bowlby
M.Ed, LMHC, MHP