Spiritual Care Management & Leadership Certificate
September 2026 - May 2027

The Transforming Chaplaincy Certificate Program in Spiritual Care Management and Leadership (SCML), a distinctive educational offering at Rush University College of Health Sciences, is an exceptional resource for those aspiring to lead spiritual care programs in healthcare.

Led by experts, it integrates classroom learning, real-world case studies, and experiential activities to equip participants with the skills needed for effective leadership amidst the complexities of healthcare spiritual care. Emphasizing a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from emotional intelligence to strategic thinking and innovation, this program is designed for current and aspiring spiritual care leaders seeking to enhance their capabilities and impact.

Participants will join a supportive community, engage in reflective practices, and apply what they learn to real-world challenges, preparing them to lead with agility and compassion in the evolving healthcare landscape.

Lead Faculty

Dr. LaVera Crawley, MD, MPH, OFS, is the System Vice President of Spiritual and Pastoral Care for CommonSpirit. She is an executive, physician, chaplain, educator, and Franciscan as well as the team leader for the SCML faculty and staff.

Video Recordings

Spiritual Care Management & Leadership Program
Open House

Meet the Spiritual Care Management & Leadership Program faculty as well as learn about the program and related expectations through a brief presentation and participant Q&A. This open house was hosted on June 25, 2026.

From Chaplain to Leader: How Spiritual Care Leaders Are Tackling Real-World Challenges

What does the transition from chaplain to leader actually look like in practice? Participants (Aviva Levin, Tim Skelly, and Matthew Eddleman) from the 2026 SCML program shared their applied projects developed in response to real organizational, leadership, and healthcare challenges—and reflected on what they learned as emerging spiritual care leaders.

This webinar was moderated by Dr. LaVera Crawley on June 18, 2026.

​Transforming Chaplaincy: Advancing Spiritual Care Through Research​
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​Vision: We envision a future when chaplaincy is formed, informed, and transformed by evidence-based practice
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​Mission: The mission of Transforming Chaplaincy is to promote evidence-based spiritual care and integrate research into professional practice and education by fostering a culture of inquiry

Our mailing address is:​
Transforming Chaplaincy
Rush University Medical Center
Department of Religion, Health, and Human Values
1653 West Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60612