Advisory Board

Bettyanna Bremer is an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene and has served in Chaplaincy Ministry for over twenty years. She began her chaplaincy career at Great River Medical Center in Burlington, Iowa, where she served in trauma, palliative care and hospice, and behavioral health chaplaincy. Since moving to North Carolina six years ago, she completed her supervisory education at Atrium Health, becoming a Certified Educator with ACPE. She is currently serving as Assistant Director for Spiritual Care and Education for the Behavioral Health Service Line. In this role, she is responsible for training pastors in the art of pastoral care as well as the oversight of Spiritual Care programming for Atrium’s Behavioral Health hospitals. Additionally, she serves on the Advocacy Committee for the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, and the Board of Ministry for the North Carolina Nazarene District, which oversees the education and ordination process of licensed ministers. Bettyanna received her Bachelor of Arts in Ministry at Nazarene Bible College. She completed her Master of Divinity with Nazarene Theological Seminary and has been published in Chaplaincy journals and denominational publications. In her spare time, Bettyanna loves antiquing, tea parties, reading, and spending time with her family and grandsons, who are the absolute delight of her life.

Swindell Edwards brings to the ceremonial position of chaplaincy thirty-eight years of ministry with a rich and varied career of academic and ecclesiastical leadership, serving as the Regional Clinical Chaplain II for the Mountain and Central Regions of North Carolina Department of Public Safety. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from St. Augustine’s College, Master of Divinity degree from Duke University, a Master’s in Public Administration degree from Valdosta State University, Clinical Pastoral Certification from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and a Doctorate degree from Jefferson International in Raleigh, North Carolina. His chaplaincy tenure includes: ten years active duty in U.S. Naval Chaplain Corps and two years in the Naval Reserve as Chaplain with the U.S. Marines, Campus Chaplain at Edward Waters College of Jacksonville, Florida; Case Manager for the Department of Children and Families in Jacksonville, Florida; Senior Chaplain at the Gateway Center for the homeless, Atlanta, Georgia, Assistant Chaplain at the Jefferson Correctional Institution of Monticello, Florida, and Lanesboro Correctional Institution, Polkton, North Carolina. He has now served in the position as Clinical Chaplain for North Carolina Department of Public Safety for the past eleven years.

Lisa Jeffcoat is the Assistant Director for Spiritual Care & Education at Atrium Health Cabarrus where she manages the Clinical Pastoral Education program and serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Council. Rev. Jeffcoat earned her Master of Divinity at Yale Divinity School, Master of Arts in Teaching at Winthrop University, and Bachelor of Arts in Music and English from Furman University. Lisa is a Certified Educator with the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, is a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains, and holds Ecclesiastical Endorsement with the Alliance of Baptists. She is grateful to serve as the Board Secretary for The Journal of Pastoral Care Publications, Inc. and as a member of the Advisory Board for the Center for Chaplaincy at Hood Theological Seminary, both since 2018. Lisa brings particular passions for music that can ground the spirit, creativity that makes life vibrant, laughter that connects, and learning that empowers and frees.

Emily Viverette is a minister affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Emily is a graduate of Elon University (B.S.) and Vanderbilt Divinity School (M.Div.). Prior to seminary, she taught high school math. Emily served as the Director of CPE at Alamance Regional Medical Center before joining the faculty at Wake Forest Baptist Health in 2009. She is a Certified Educator with ACPE, and Director of FaithHealth Chaplaincy and Education at WFBH. Emily is married to Michael, and they have two children, Jack and Lily.

Maureen Palmer is a Level 2 Certified Chaplain at Corporate Chaplains of America and is assigned to Coca-Cola Consolidated, Charlotte, North Carolina and cares for the needs of 750+ employees and their families (2015-present). She holds a Master of Divinity degree specializing in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Gardner-Webb University. Rev. Palmer served as Hospice Chaplain at Agape Hospice, Lancaster, South Carolina. Currently, she serves as Pastor at New Loves Chapel AME Zion Church in Lake Wylie, South Carolina.

Rebekah Ramsey serves with Novant Health as the Greater Charlotte Market (GCM) Manager of Chaplaincy Services. The GCM hospitals include Presbyterian Medical Center, Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital, Mint Hill Medical Center, Matthews Medical Center, and Huntersville Medical Center. Rebekah has worked as a Chaplain in clinical settings for over thirteen years and is passionate about education and providing competent, compassionate care to patients, their loved ones, and team members. Her training includes a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, Board Certification with the Association of Professional Chaplains, and a Certified Educator with the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. Rebekah serves in a variety of roles with Novant Health and the community. She loves music, martial arts, community service, gardening, and work towards and for social justice. She looks forward to bringing her passions and energy to our conversation and program enhancement. Rebekah is happily married to Robbie Ramsey, and they have one son, Alexander.