Trident Health System
August 11, 2022

Trident Medical Center celebrates back to school with Blessing of the Children

Charleston, SC – Nearly 160,000 Lowcountry children will be starting a new school year in the upcoming days. For many parents, like Candi Corley, RT. RT., who works at the Trident Cancer Center, it can be a time of anxiousness. “Our children are entering middle school and high school,” said Corley. “I think about the challenges that come with change and I think about their safety as they start school in new environments.” For parents like Candi, Trident Medical Center is holding its inaugural Blessing of the Children Monday, August 15, at 9:00am in the hospital’s cafeteria. The blessing will be led by Trident Health Chaplain Janet Edwards.

“We come to work as whole people,” explained Edwards. “Some of our colleagues have grandchildren, children, and for some of our younger staff, brothers and sisters, starting school. We want them to know we support them as the new school year starts. Our hope is they will find comfort as we meet together for the Blessing of the Children.”

Associate vice president of Cardiovascular Services Jodell Jenkins, MBA, BSN, RN has two children who’ll be entering sixth and eighth grades. She says in addition to their education having a safe place for her children to learn is important. “I think the Blessing of the Children is a wonderful way our hospital leaders are acknowledging what I and my colleagues with children starting school are thinking about in addition to caring for our patients.” She adds, “In a lot of ways I think teachers have a calling like we do in healthcare. They will be remembered in our blessing, too.”

Trident Cancer Center coordinator Melisha Owens has a child entering the eighth grade who prefers to ride the bus. “My thoughts about school safety include the ride to and from school. As a parent we often think ‘Is my child safe?’ I think the Blessing of the Children is a very thoughtful way and a reminder that our hospital leaders think about the many roles we have in addition to caregiver.”

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Candi Corley, RT.RT.
Trident Cancer Center

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Janet Edwards
Trident Health Chaplain

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Melisha Owens, Coordinator
Trident Cancer Center

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Jodell Jenkins, MBA, BSN, RN
Trident Medical Center