SALISBURY ― Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and the Salisbury Fire Department have partnered to host a free seminar for chaplains, community clergy, first responders and other caregivers.

The focus will be on the self-care and wellness of groups that provide support to survivor-victims of traumatic events. A brief overview of the first seminar, held in July, will be included for new participants.

The free seminar will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Rowan Medical Center, 612 Mocksville Ave. Registration and coffee will begin at 8:30 a.m. A complimentary lunch is included.

“The hospital is delighted to partner with the Salisbury Fire Department to offer this outstanding learning opportunity to members of our community,” said the Rev. James Cook, Rowan Medical Center chaplain. “It is our hope that this training is well attended and serves to strengthen our community overall.”

The seminar, titled “Healing the Helpers: Valuing Ourselves While Serving Others,” will be conducted by the Rev. Glenn Davis, chaplain supervisor of the First Responder Chaplaincy Program at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Davis has led programs throughout North Carolina and has been recognized nationally for his expertise. Before joining Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, he served 27 years as the full-time chaplain for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.

Program topics will include:

• Overview of survivor-victim reactions to trauma and critical incident stress.
• Understanding the effects of chronic stress on first responders and caregivers.
• Recognizing compassion stress and fatigue.
• Developing and nurturing wellness lifestyles.
• Using humor as an antidote to stress.
• Creating cultures of wellness to improve capacity for better stress management.

“Trauma can come in many different forms — a shooting, domestic violence, rioting, bullying, a natural disaster — and our community members have the responsibility to reach out to those affected with support and compassion,” said Cook. “The goal of this program is to help attendees become more effective during times of crisis while recognizing that self-care should be seen as an ethical imperative and an act of stewardship.”

Anyone interested in attending the seminar should call 704-210-5049 to register.