Deaconess Foundation provides substantial support each year to the growing
Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries.
Begun as a means of honoring the ministry of the founding Deaconess Sisters, Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries continues to be a key part of the Deaconess Foundation. Parish Nursing is a reincarnation of the Deaconess movement of diakonal (service) ministry, which began in Germany in the mid-1800s. In St. Louis, the parish nurse program was initiated through the efforts of Deaconess Health System in January 1990. Today, registered nurses work as Deaconess Parish Nurses on the staff of more than 50 congregations and faith-based organizations to provide health education, health counseling, advocacy, referrals and support to the community.
Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries is also home to the International Parish Nurse Resource Center which has become a leader and convener in parish nurse education, research and support for parish nurses around the world.