Albany

While it is common for hospitals to provide spiritual counseling for patients, educating medical students about faith is not common, the Rev. Harlan Ratmeyer told the 130 second-year medical students at Albany Medical College in a talk about spirituality and health titled, "Everyone is born with 3 and a 1/2 quarts of spirituality."

"We try to take care of the patient's spirituality, but what about us? If we are tired and grumpy, the same feeling exudes to the patient," said Ratmeyer, who is director of pastoral care services at Albany Medical Center.

He stressed that the students should stay in touch with the concept of "awe," and treat themselves and others by making it personal, not treating others, including patients, as objects. The capacity for wonderment is a spiritual capacity, he said.

The reverend also spoke about the concept of community family members, friends, people to confide in. "It can be life-giving."

Doctors may face an ethical dilemma regarding treatment. "The quality of life versus existence. Living longer but with poor quality of life."

Pastoral care staff works 24-7 and members are often called in at night.

"Doctors and nurses refer to us; if there is an emergency, they page us. We follow through," he said, adding, "Albany Med students are prone to call pastoral care more so than students from other medical colleges."

In addition to his work at Albany Med, Ratmeyer is pastor at The First Reformed Church of Bethlehem in Selkirk and is also a storyteller. He uses stories, often based on personal experience, to illustrate his understanding of life's basic capacities.

He told one about his kindergarten teacher. She was a stern lady, who spanked the students, pulled out a wooden birthday cake for each kid's birthday, then put it away. She did not smile. After that daunting start to his formal education, Ratmeyer said, when he entered third grade, his teacher was young, fresh out of college, newly married, spoke to and smiled at students, and he was amazed.

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