Category: Press Releases

Deb Fell-Carlson Receives 2025 Norma Small Outstanding Coordinator in Faith Health Ministry Award

Posted on February 12, 2026 by - Press Releases

The Health Ministries Association (HMA) proudly announces Deb Fell-Carlson, BSN, RN, MSPH, as the 2025 recipient of the Norma Small Outstanding Coordinator in Faith Health Ministry Award. This award honors a distinguished HMA member who directs a regional network or program and demonstrates exceptional resourcefulness in implementing innovative teaching strategies that address diverse needs within faith communities and health systems. The award is given in memory of Norma Small, PhD, RN, whose leadership and vision continue to inspire excellence in faith-based health ministry.

Fell-Carlson exemplifies the spirit of this award through her transformative leadership as Executive Director of the Faith Community Health Network (FCHN), a nonprofit she founded to equip and support Faith Community Nurses and Health Ministers across Oregon and beyond. Her visionary coordination has united nurses from varied faith traditions to promote whole-person health, advanced legislative change for community-based nursing reimbursement, and expanded educational access through the online delivery of health education programs, including The Westberg Institute’s Foundations of Faith Community Nursing course. Her inclusive teaching methods, collaborative approach, and commitment to addressing diverse spiritual and cultural health needs have strengthened faith-health partnerships at local, state, and national levels.

Through her innovation, advocacy, and unwavering faith, Deb Fell-Carlson continues to embody the legacy of Norma Small—bridging healthcare and faith communities with compassion, creativity, and transformative leadership.

Health Ministries Association
Email: info@hmassoc.org
Website: www.hmassoc.org

Deb Fell-Carlson Receives 2025 Norma Small Outstanding Coordinator in Faith Health Ministry Award

Faith Community Health Network graduates 11 in 2025

Posted on January 12, 2026 by - Nursing, Press Releases

Faith Community Health Network graduates 11 from the 2025 Foundations of Faith Community Nursing and Health Ministry Course!

Faith Community Health Network graduates 11 from the 2025 Foundations of Faith Community Nursing and Health Ministry Course!

The Faith Community Health Network was honored to graduate 10 new faith community nurses and one health minister in our 2025 Westberg Institute Foundations of Faith Community Nursing and Health Ministry Course that wrapped up on November 24, 2025 with a Blessing of the Hands, Pinning, & Dedication Ceremony at Santiam Place in Lebanon, OR on November 30, 2025. Out-of-area graduates and family were able to join on Zoom.

Students were from all over the country, including Billings, MT, northern California, and Memphis, TN, but we also had six local graduates who will engage in ministry here in Oregon. Because we offer our classes on Zoom, we can accommodate attendees from anywhere.

We tried a new format for our 2025 course, with shorter class days (8a-1p Pacific) but more of them (11 sessions) over six weeks on Mondays and Tuesdays. We have hosted the class on six days over six weeks in the past, from 8a-5p, on Zoom, also on Mondays and Tuesdays. The students appreciated the shorter days so we will likely adopt this same format for 2026.

The entire Faith Community Health Network Board of Directors was involved in hosting the November 30, 2025 celebration and we had wonderful attendance from family, friends, and local community members.

Watch for information on our 2026 Foundations of Faith Community Nursing and Health Ministry Course which will be posted soon!

Dedication Ceremony Program

Faith Community Health Network launches pilot project in senior housing complex!

Posted on March 1, 2025 by - Press Releases

Faith Community Health Network launches pilot project in senior housing complex!

The Faith Community Health Network received funds to embark on a pilot project at GardenView Apartments in Lebanon, OR.

Faith community nurses will staff a Health Resource Center there for a few hours a month. The FCHN purchased the necessary equipment to equip a small consultation room. Linn-Benton Community College Nursing Students were on hand to help with the consents and intake assessments for residents who want to participate in the project. The faith community nurses are completely independent and serve autonomously within the Oregon State Board of Nursing guidelines as unpaid professionals.

Linda Tedisch, FCHN Vice-President

Posted on June 14, 2024 by - Press Releases

Linda Tedisch, FCN Vice President

The Faith Community Health Network and colleagues and friends are saddened to lose a cherished colleague. Linda Tedisch, FCHN Vice-President, began her career at Albany General Hospital in Critical Care serving 20+ years, including several years as manager. She then went on to become the Clinical Manager of Samaritan’s newly-opened Urgent Care/Geary Street Clinic and Manager/Clinical Coordinator of Samaritan’s Medical Home Clinic in Lebanon, OR. In addition to serving on the FCHN Board of Directors, Linda had an active faith community nursing practice in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Albany, OR. We will miss her, but we know she trusted in the Lord with all her heart and knew He “had her back” up to the very end. Linda was born October 24, 1952 and passed June 11, 2024.

Faith Communities Launch Holistic Health Ministry

Posted on April 17, 2023 by - Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lebanon, OR – April 17, 2023 – Faith communities across Lebanon are joining forces to introduce a new initiative that brings spiritual care and nursing practice together to promote health and wellness. Faith community nursing, a specialized blend of healthcare and spiritual support, aims to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of congregants in Lebanon’s religious communities.

Registered nurses who have completed specialized training in faith community nursing are working closely with religious leaders, healthcare professionals, and congregants to provide tailored healthcare services. These services include health education, counseling, advocacy, and referrals to appropriate healthcare resources. Additionally, faith community nurses lead support groups, organize health fairs, and develop wellness programs that address prevalent health issues in the community.

The impact of faith community nursing extends beyond individual congregations, reaching out to the wider community and providing much-needed support for vulnerable populations. This initiative is instrumental in addressing health disparities, particularly in underserved communities, where access to healthcare resources may be limited. By working together, faith community nurses and other healthcare professionals are striving to improve the overall health and well-being of Lebanon’s residents.

Faith community nursing places a strong emphasis on spiritual care and the importance of robust faith communities. This approach helps individuals navigate through difficult times, cope with illness, and find meaning and purpose in their lives. As Lebanon’s faith community nursing initiative continues to grow, the potential to transform the health landscape for the better becomes increasingly evident.

For more information about faith community nursing in Lebanon, please contact Faith Community Health Network.

About Faith Community Health Network
Faith Community Health Network is dedicated to promoting health and wellness within Lebanon’s faith communities. By providing support, education, and advocacy, we aim to improve the overall health and well-being of our community members. Our organization is committed to fostering collaboration between faith communities, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to create a supportive and compassionate environment for all.