About
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to establish, improve, promote, and maintain standards for the operation of Christian Science nursing organizations/facilities providing Christian Science nursing services.
The Need
The Commission was developed to provide an accrediting process to member Christian Science nursing organizations that support Christian Science healing and promote excellence in meeting the requirements of the Church Manual By-law, “Christian Science Nurse.”
The Solution
Commission members are committed to periodic external assessments conducted by qualified, experienced peers which follow defined standards and methods of review.
Our Foundation
The foundation of The Commission accreditation process is high standards adopted unanimously by the founding organizations. These standards are the basis for the organizational self-assessment and evaluation conducted by Review Teams that visit each organization seeking accreditation.
Accredited Christian Science nursing facilities, visiting Christian Science nursing services, and many Christian Science nurses advertise in The Christian Science Journal, a monthly publication of The First Church of Christ, Scientist. Please visit journal.christianscience.com/directory for a complete listing of each advertiser.
Standards
Integrity, excellence, and reliability are three qualities The Commission supports in Christian Science nursing facilities, their affiliated education programs, and affiliated and independent visiting Christian Science nursing services. Our aim is to forward the demonstration of these qualities in all policies, practices, and procedures by developing, promoting, and maintaining standards for these organizations.
High standards published and upheld by The Commission support accredited organizations and the important work of the Christian Science nurse, as outlined by Mary Baker Eddy in the Church Manual By-law, Article VIII, Section 31, “Christian Science Nurse.”
Working With Us
Onsite Reviews
Onsite visits for the purpose of accreditation provide close-up views of Christian Science nursing facilities, their affiliated education programs, and affiliated and independent visiting Christian Science nursing services. Each organization first completes a self-assessment based on Commission standards. The self-assessment then becomes the basis for the review team’s evaluation.
During onsite visits, the review team:
inspects the organization’s physical plant
reviews documents, policies, and procedures
interviews board members, management, staff, patients, and patients’ families
confirms compliance with federal, state, provincial, county and local laws and regulations
Depending on the size of the organization and the number of programs under review, such visits take from one to three days.
Currently accredited Christian Science nursing facilities, their affiliated education programs, and affiliated and independent visiting Christian Science nursing services are listed on the Accredited Organizations page. A list of currently accredited organizations is also published monthly in The Christian Science Journal. The online Christian Science Journal Directory may be accessed at JSH-Online.
Responding to Complaints
Patient safety and well-being: everyone’s first priority
From time to time concerns are brought to The Commission that have not been resolved through an accredited organization’s own grievance procedures. If these concerns relate to Commission standards, The Commission Board undertakes a careful review of the issues. Follow-through may include an onsite visit and confidential interviews. A fuller explanation of our complaint-handling procedures can be found in The Commission Policy Statement on Complaints.
To contact the Board regarding such complaints, email the Administrative Assistant to the Board at aab@csncommission.org or call 360-320-6144.
Meet The Commission
The Commission Board of Directors comprises individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the activities of Christian Science nursing organizations. They are elected by the member organizations. The Board coordinates the onsite accreditation visits, oversees The Commission’s accreditation policies and procedures, handles complaints, and makes final accreditation decisions.
Board Member
Julie Brearley
Great Britain
President
Jennifer Johnson
Richardson, TX
Vice President
Alison Alioto
Chestnut Hill, MA
Current Board of Directors
Treasurer
Christine Radel
Scottsdale, AZ
Clerk
Cari LaZansky
Sacramento, CA
Board Member
Wendy Abdollahi-Blumer
Switzerland
Support Staff
Administrative Assistant to the Board
Nirmela Arsem
Friday Harbor, WA
Review Coordinator
Amy Fugman
Ballwin, MO