VALLEY CHAPLAIN HONORED DURING NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN PITTSBURGH

Harlingen, Texas, April 15, 2008  –- Chaplain Ahmed Aquino of Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen has attained the distinction of board-certified chaplain and was honored recently at the Association of Professional Chaplains' Grand Banquet in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chaplain Aquino has served for the past year and one-half as a staff chaplain at Valley Baptist-Harlingen.

The Grand Banquet is one of many highlights of the annual chaplains’ conference. This year’s event celebrated the achievements of over 200 new board-certified chaplains. Chaplains are eligible to pursue board certification following completion of advanced degree work and a rigorous program of clinical training that prepares them to serve as chaplains in institutional settings. The certification represents a high level of commitment and professional achievement, as well as recognition by one's peers and the board of directors of a nationally-recognized professional association.

During the annual conference highlighting the theme, From These Hills: Mining, Forging, Transforming, Chaplain Aquino attended educational workshops on several topics, including spiritual growth at the end of life; facilitating healing even while dying; and transforming death into healing.

The APC, a national organization based in Schaumburg, Illinois, is a multi-faith association established to certify chaplains, serve its membership and to promote professional chaplaincy. Professional chaplains work throughout the country in many specialized settings, including healthcare, corporations, correctional facilities and the military.

For more information on the APC, visit www.professionalchaplains.org. For more information on Valley Baptist, visit www.ValleyBaptist.net.