Who We Are Anson Parish Nurse and Health Ministry (APNHM) is a program supported by Anson Community Hospital in Wadesboro, North Carolina, which is part of the Carolinas HealthCare System. More than 70 churches, four community centers, the Healthy Ansonians, and many agencies partner with APNHM to promote wellness and disease prevention for all age groups.   The Anson Parish Nurse and Health Ministry partners with churches to provide physical, emotional and spiritual care to individuals, families and communities. Associate partners include Community Health Centers, After-School Programs, Church Associations, and others. Collaboration with and support by many community agencies, health care systems, and charitable organizations produced very successful results for projects and programs.    With the successful organization and implementation of the Anson Parish Nurse and Health Ministries over the past eight years, thousands of people have been touched and healthcare needs provided. Our parish nurses and health advocates have promoted health and disease prevention through screenings, health programs and information, visitations, organization of support groups, health fairs, and support by prayer and presence.   Parish nurses are registered nurses who practice the concept of wholistic health.  This involves healing or the restoration of wholeness that comes from caring for the body, mind and spirit. Parish nurses promote wellness and disease prevention for all age groups, rather than hands-on-care or invasive procedures. They work under the values, beliefs and practices of a faith community to help people locate healthcare resources.     Roles of a Parish Nurse include: Integrator of faith and health, health counselor, health educator, referral source to community agencies and health care providers, trainer of volunteers and organization of support groups, and sharing presence, knowledge and prayers during times of crisis and celebration. "Parish nursing is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, consistent with the basic assumptions of all faiths that we care for self and others as an expression of God's love" (Fourteenth Annual Westberg Symposium).   Health Ministries was initiated as part of the Anson Parish Nurse Program in 2004 for churches that do not have registered nurses but want to promote health and wellness in their congregations and community.  Health advocates in these churches may arrange for speakers or group presentations, and organize health fairs and literature displays. More than 60 nurses and health advocates volunteer in their churches and community centers throughout Anson County. An Advisory Board composed of pastors meets to discuss the activities of the program. In 2005, the Volunteer Chaplain Association was organized at Anson Community Hospital, and is coordinated through the Anson Parish Nurse and Health Ministries.  The Anson Diabetes Self- Management Program was initiated in 2006 and has received accreditation by the American Diabetes Association. Classes are conducted weekly by our full-time diabetes educators, registered nurse and dietitian.