Our History
Spiritual Care Consultants of West Michigan was formed September 2007 around a Bible study at Pennock Hospital in Hastings, Michigan. Troy Carlson, M.D. of Family Tree Medical was expressing a great need that he was seeing within his practice. There were many patients who were having spiritual Issues that were impacting their physical wellness and he did not know what to do. That is when the idea of having a spiritual care consultant in the practice came to be. The need was great because in September 2007 Thornapple Valley Church had done a survey of the Hastings area and found that fifty percent of the people did not attend church, but this did not mean they were not spiritual. With the recent economic challenges and all the people out of work and uninsured, Spiritual Care Consultant’s existence is even more important. With such a great need we felt that this service would be good for not only the physicians’ offices but also, for the corporations in the communities we serve.
Our Mission
Our mission is to develop an individual's short term and long term spiritual care plan. We assist in an individual's physical and emotional recovery by connecting him/her to faith, strengthen any existing ties between the individual and church community. We are a support to the medical and corporate community across West Michigan.
Learn More From Dr. Carlson
Our Board of Directors
Pastor Gale Kragt, Ph.D.
Pastor Gale Kragt co-founded Spiritual Care Consultants in 2007, and currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Director. Gale brings over twenty years of experience as a Hospital Chaplain and Senior Pastor delivering Christian maturity across all denominations.
Dr. R. Troy Carlson, M.D.
Dr. R Troy Carlson founded Spiritual Care Consultants in 2007, and currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Chairman. Troy is a board certified family physician. He is co-owner of Family Tree Medical Associates.
Our bOARD mEMBERS
Karen Jousma, Grant Writer
Barb Pietrangelo, Finance Manager
Jeff Weiden, Chief Financial Advisor
Dr. James Spindler, M.D., CLP, Prayer Network & Newsletter
Deb Winkler, R.N., Secretary
Norman Barlow, Member at Large
Gwen Kapcia, Member at Large
Deb Younker, Muskegon Community Manager
Rachel Kool, Grand Rapids Community Manager
