By Emily Viverette
For the past 25 years, Sharon Engebretson has been a faithful presence on the faculty in the Department of Chaplaincy & Pastoral Education at Wake Forest Baptist Health. Sharon recently retired from her position as Associate Vice President of FaithHealth to enjoy a more leisurely pace and time with her horses.
Sharon completed supervisory education in the School of Pastoral Care at NC Baptist Hospital in the early 1980s and returned as faculty in 1989. Within just a few short years, she was selected to be the Director of Chaplaincy & Pastoral Education (CPE). As the first female in this position, she has been a pioneer in her role. Sharon consistently invited the CPE faculty to integrate their creative interests into the shared work of supervision and the provision of chaplaincy services at WFBMC.
Many, many contributions
Here are just a few of her many contributions to the medical center and CPE program. Under her leadership, the Department of Chaplaincy & Pastoral Education hired its first African-American Chaplain Supervisor, trained CPE Supervisors from around the world, developed a partnership with the Wake Forest University School of Divinity, offered a unit of CPE in Spanish, and created a solid and compassionate CPE curriculum.
Out of her care and concern for the needs of the staff at the medical center, Sharon also created the process for the Employee Emergency Financial Fund, which provides emergency financial relief for staff in crisis. This project was a huge investment in organization time and energy. It has benefited many over the years. Prior to her current role, she also spent much time and energy shepherding what is now the Division of FaithHealth as the interim vice president. In this role, she offered leadership across the division and medical center for several years.
Of course, Sharon’s legacy extends far beyond the walls of WFBH. As a regional and national leader in the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), Sharon also encouraged the faculty to participate in the wider community of ACPE. She served as the first female chair of the Certification Commission, fulfilled several terms as a Board member and served on the Board for the Foundation for ACPE. As a result of her involvement and her support of faculty involvement, the CPE supervisors at WFBH have influenced and been influenced by innovations across the country in CPE. In addition, Sharon taught at the School of Divinity at Wake Forest University for several years in the Vocational Formation curriculum.
A supervisor and pastor
Her students and colleagues speak most frequently of her gifts as a supervisor and pastor. Even in the midst of her busy schedule, Sharon always made time for the student, patient or staff member in need. Her calm, pastoral presence offered a safe and compassionate space for those who came to her for help. As a former student and current faculty, my gratitude for the amount of grace she has offered me over the years is beyond words. She has been a mentor in my professional life. I chose to return to WFBH in no small part because of her leadership.
Dr. Paul Mullen, retired Director of Church & Community Relations relayed the following sentiments about his work with Sharon:
I’m very grateful for Sharon’s friendship, leadership, and giftedness. I’ve long appreciated who she is—her ability to relate with great authenticity and empathy, her strength and compassion, her good natured humor and insight. She has an uncanny ability to accept and genuinely value people across the theological spectrum. She lets you be who you are and believes in you. The division has been blessed by Sharon and her leadership.
Gratitude abounds for Sharon and her ministry. While we in the department and division wish Sharon well, we also know she will be missed.
