Webinar: Care of Self, Care of Others

Register Here

Session Description: 

Presenter: Ann Charlescraft

The Rev. Dr. Ann Sidney Charlescraft is a consultant for hospitals and institutions in developing programs for care of the professional caregiver.  Her interests in caring for professional caregivers began when she was serving on staff at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System in Richmond, Virginia.   Having experienced compassion fatigue while caring for children and families, Dr. Charlescraft was convinced that personal, familial, collegial and institutional supports are needed for the well-being of those who care for others on a daily basis.  She began her doctoral studies in 2000 at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and concluded her work by designing and implementing a self care research study for pediatric intensive care nurses.  The study demonstrated that self care education and enhanced spiritual well-being serve not only the caregiver, but the institution in developing healthier environments and supportive care for professionals.  In addition, the pilot program return on investment was slightly over one million dollars in staff retention.  Since retiring in 2016, she has consulted with various healthcare institutions to develop ways of supporting staff that go beyond the ordinary, established benefits.

Dr. Charlescraft begin her professional career in public education and subsequently in vocational ministry.  While in the local church she focused on children and families, education, and care of the bereaved.  She was one of the first, and last, Baptist women to be ordained in a Southern Baptist Church.  Currently, she is an endorsed chaplain with the Alliance of Baptists and a board certified chaplain, retired, with the Association of Professional Chaplains.  Dr. Charlescraft is a regional, national, and international presenter in the areas of caregiving with emphasis on compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, burn-out, and moral distress; bereavement care for children and families; and spiritual formation.

Academic training has been a privilege for Dr. Charlescraft who completed her BS in Child Development and Family Relations (1974/UNC-Greensboro), M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education (1977/UNCG); M.Div. in pastoral care and theology (1988/Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary); Certificate in Patient Counseling (1996/VCU); and D.Min. (2005/BTSR).  In addition, Dr. Charlescraft has availed herself of continuing education at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Today, Dr. Charlescraft spends her time in developing programs for healthcare institutions, assisting VCU College of Health Professions, Department of Patient Counseling as lead annual gift officer for Alumni Development, and enjoying the mountains of Southwest Virginia.  She is a board member and treasurer of the international mission agency JourneyPartners (primary support to Kutenda Children’s Home, Zimbabwe), and a supportive presence for Camp Selah near Danville, Virginia where the spiritual formation of children and families is the primary focus.  She enjoys nature, reading, and retirement!