Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
Religious issues in the workplace have driven Wiley Creek Community Manager Cheryl VanCamp to resign, to the disappointment of a number of residents.
VanCamp said that she resigned because of a number of restrictions and changes she was forced to make that violated her conscience as an evangelical Christian.
“Going to work for Lebanon Community Hospital in 1991 was perfect for me,” VanCamp said in a letter to incoming Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital President Larry Houchin. “Having been raised in the Mennonite Church, I shared the values of the organization.
“The first administrator of LCH, Bishop Allen Erb, was my pastor when I was a child. I learned the Word of God at his feet. Two of my uncles, Buerge and Floyd Whitaker, were on the Board of Directors.
“When I transferred to Wiley Creek, it was also a good fit. The mission statement and policy on Philosophy of Assisted Living clearly stated that this was a Christ-centered facility. Many people have chosen to live and work here because of the commitment of Wiley Creek Community to provide services in the spirit of Christian love.”
VanCamp cited four troubling changes her superiors asked her to make. They included the following:
– In staff meetings, she cannot quote the Word of God or even mention His name.
– She may not offer to pray with employees even if she knows the employee is a Christian.
– The initial list of restrictions included striking Psalm 95:7 from Wiley Creek’s monthly newsletter. She later learned that this one item might be negotiable if a disclaimer were added and Lebanon Community Hospital CEO Becky Pape has since stated that the Bible verse will remain in the newsletter.
– Heartspring Wellness Center, a department of Samaritan Health Services, put out a flyer announcing summer fitness classes for employees, including seven classes in Yoga, a type of physical and mental discipline originating in the Hindu religion, and Zen meditation, which is Buddhist. The classes were advertised as “meditative” and “contemplative” for “mind-body healing.”
“I then voiced my concern about the growing presence of eastern mysticism within Samaritan Health,” VanCamp said. “I was told that I must post all announcements even though the information is given in other SHS publications, even if those announcements go against my conscience.”
At first, VanCamp said, the restrictions applied only to her as a manger, she said. Now she understands the restriction on prayer at staff meetings and conversation about God applies to all staff.
“Nothing this world has to offer could make me set Jesus aside and offer up false gods in His place,” VanCamp said. “He gave Himself to redeem us, and I will not deny him.
“The Bible tells us to be in subjection to those in authority over us. I will not do as my superiors ask, and therefore, I choose to withdraw myself from service at Wiley Creek rather than openly deny them.
“I am so thankful to have had the privilege of serving with our wonderful staff. They offer a quality of service to our dear residents that no other facility can claim. My life has been immeasurable enriched by the friendship of staff and residents alike.”
In a written statement, Pape called the situation with VanCamp an “individual personnel matter,” and said she could not discuss the particulars related to VanCamp’s resignation.
“Speaking generally, our organizational mission embodies a holistic view of healthcare and healing that encompasses the mind, body and spirit,” Pape said. “For many prayer can play an important role in the healing process, and our pastoral care staff members play an integral role on our healthcare team. They work closely with patients, senior care residents, family members and staff on a daily basis.”
Pape said Samaritan Health respects “the rights of all to practice and exercise their own religious convictions without superimposing those convictions on others, especially in the workplace. Patients, senior care residents and employees are free to practice their religious beliefs as long as they respect the rights of others in the process.”
She pointed out that Samaritan Health is “a faith-based organization both by history and practice” and noted that each of the organization’s five hospitals provides pastoral care and “many faith-based” initiatives, such as its parish nurse program.
“We select our health education and wellness classes based on their ability to contribute to the health and welfare of our patients, residents, employees and community members,” Pape said. “We feature a wide variety of classes, some of which employ yoga and meditation techniques to promote relaxation and stress reduction and to increase strength and flexibility. Participation in these classes is completely voluntary.”
She said that employees who feel uncomfortable posting or distributing flyers for such classes would not be forced to do so. “Another employee can assume that responsibility,” Pape said.
Pape emphasized that Wiley Creek “is an incredibly valuable part of our organization, and we are committed to seeing that it continues to provide the same high level of compassionate care it is renowned for.”
She said the new interim administrator will be Margaret Champion, who “comes to Wiley Creek with more than 26 years of experience in senior care and is certified as an assisted living administrator by the state of Oregon. We believe she will do an outstanding job.”
Champion spent 23 years at Corvallis Manor, including eight as assistant administrator before becoming head administrator at West Hills Assisted Living, also in Corvallis. She joined Samaritan Health Services earlier this year as marketing and admissions coordinator for Heart of the Valley in Corvallis.
Wiley Creek resident Donna Ego, in a letter to SLCH board President Randy Springer on behalf of some 20 residents, complained that trend toward eastern religion flies in the face of what many of those who live at Wiley Creek believe and the founding principles of Lebanon Samaritan Community Hospital.
“The great majority of the residents of Wiley Creek Community believe in one God and his son, Jesus Christ,” Ego wrote. “Lebanon Community Hospital was founded upon Christian principles, and many of us chose to make this our home (here) on that basis.
“We residents who are Christians wish the freedom to have input about the philosophy that guides the policies under which we all must live. No one is asked how they believe when they come here, and they are not required to believe as we do; but neither should they be able to dictate that this community be less than Godly. If we residents who are believers in a risen Savior cannot be represented by our management, then why are proponents of other gods invited to spread their influence?”
Ego said that Pape has “misused her power to determine how we conduct our daily living. We are alarmed that this policy will be promoted in the whole of Samaritan Health Services and eventually trickle down to staff members. This would affect our lives adversely.
?Wiley Creek is a smooth-running, loving community that we are all proud to be a part of. This is because Cheryl VanCamp was valued not only for her managerial style but also for who she is, a dedicated servant of God. She resigned as manager because she was not able to follow the dictates of her supervisors without compromising her religious principles.”
Ego said that when she and others moved into the residential community, they “gave faith that those who make policy decisions will respect the wish of the majority here that future managers have freedom to promote Christian values for us as well as for those who believe in other gods or none.”
Sean C. Morgan can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 367-2135.