Deborah Whisnand Named Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor in San Antonio Deborah Whisnand, Th.M, has been named Supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for the San Antonio program. With this appointment, Deborah rejoins VITAS after serving as a chaplain in the Houston program from 1993 to 1994.

Deborah brings 27 years of experience as a chaplain and in clinical pastoral education and clinical ethics to her role. An ordained United Church of Christ and Southern Baptist minister, Deborah is a board certified chaplain and certified as a supervisor by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).

Deborah’s other work experience includes serving as supervisor of chaplain services for the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Houston; senior consultant and director of clinical ethics for Bioethics Consultation Group in Berkeley, California; Southwest regional director of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.; and manager of clinical pastoral education for the Methodist Hospital in Houston. Prior to her current VITAS appointment, she was director of Clinical Pastoral Education and Professional Development for Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio.

“I am awed at the extensive leadership Deborah has shown in all her work experience,” says Martha Rutland, DMin, VITAS national CPE director. “Her work history has prepared her well and her personal dedication to the patients and families stands out. I feel fortunate that VITAS was able to bring Deborah and her gifts back on board. I know that she will make a difference.”

Deborah received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, a master’s degree from Rice University in Houston and a master of theology degree from the Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts.