Joseph C. Moravec

Professor of Religion and Philosophy of the Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Courses Regularly Taught

• PHI 110 Critical Thinking in a Diverse World
• PHI 280 Caring in a Diverse Health Care Environment
• PHI 301 Critical Thinking 
• PHI 302 Applied Critical Thinking
• THE 201 Christian Theological Traditions 
• THE 220 New Testament Studies 
• THE 334 Religions of the World 
• SPE 105 Small Group Communication

Year Started at Mercy College 2004

Education

• B.A., Taylor University (1975) 
• M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1980)
• M.Div., Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (1983) 
• D.Min., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1993)

Advice to Students
People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Also, people may not remember what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Remember: "No brain, no pain, no gain" - my personal montra.

Clinical/Field Experience

• I've served as a pastor in three different church ministries (IN, IL, IA) for over 25 years.
• I was Dean of Extension/Continuing Education and President of Trinity Institute of Practical/Biblical Studies at Trinity College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL for 4 years.
• I've led numerous seminars/clinics for health care professionals both at the local and national level.
• In addition, I've been a national church leadership seminar clinician/leader, business owner, hospital chaplain, corporate management/sales consultant and adjunct professor in religion and philosophy at six other colleges and universities. 

Research Interests and Professional Projects

I have a passion for developing people and furthering the healing ministry of Jesus Christ in and through my life and those I teach for the glory of God. I consider it a privilege and honor to serve God and others here at Mercy College. I have done extensive research on the healing ministry of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Gospel accounts in the New Testament. As such, I have created and use a charting tool in order to help my students analyze all of the 54 healing incidents of Christ that are documented in the New Testament. In the other two religion classes I teach, I have created and use schematics for developing critical thinking understandings in my students both transreligiously (for the major world religions) and transtraditionally (for the various Christian traditions). Furthermore, to help make my religion courses come alive for students, I have established the "Chapels on Tuesday" series where local leaders from various Christian traditions come to campus to lead mini-chapels in order to give students a "taste" of their worship experience typical of their unique tradition. Also, I lead educational excursions during class where we visit/experience the various major world religious centers and learn first-hand from their leaders about their beliefs/practices and how we can best provide caring and competent service as healthcare practitioners to their followers.  

Moreover since being at Mercy College, I have revised/rewrote the only critical thinking course that was offered at that time; as well as, I have written and developed two new courses in critical thinking that are now a part of the core curricula of the nursing and allied health programs. Most recently, I have helped develop and launch the Bachelor of Science in Health Science (pre-med) degree program.      

Recent Publications/Presentations

• Consultant/Presenter at Country Club Dental Care (CCDC) clinic with physicians/staff on areas of personal and professional development in critical thinking in 2009 and 2010.
• Lecturer/Presenter at the Iowa South Central District of Radiologic Technologists Conference at Mercy Medical Center on July 18, 2009 and April 16, 2010 on “Developing Religious Competency in Healthcare”.
• Lecturer/Presenter at Mercy Medical Center Lunch “N Learn Seminar for MMC staff on May 21, 2009 and for Mercy Franklin Behavioral Services staff on July 2, 2009 on “Developing Religious Competency in Healthcare”.
• Presenter/Panelist at the University of Louisville’s I2a Inaugural Institute on Developing Critical Thinkers (May 27-29, 2009) in Louisville, KY on the exemplary use of integrating critical thinking into the clinical and health sciences at Mercy College of Health Sciences. 
• Lecturer/Presenter at the 28th Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking at Berkeley, CA on July 23, 2008 on "Developing Diversity Understandings in Collegians Preparing for Healthcare Professions Utilizing Critical Thinking/Worldview Analysis".
• Lecturer/clinician at various other national and regional seminars/workshops (e.g., “Issues on Caring and Spirituality”, “Effective Teaching Strategies”, “Critical Thinking, Critical Living”, "25 Days to Better Thinking and Better Living") for other MCHS departments/faculty/programs (e.g., Surgical Technology, CNA classes) and for numerous local churches and community organizations including Ashworth Road Baptist Church (WDM), Covenant Presbyterian (WDM), Parkersburg Congregational Church, Garner Evangelical and Reformed Church, Sunday Church (WDM), Family Violence Center of Children and Families of Iowa and Valley Southwood High School (WDM).    
• Book reviewer for Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins of Lipe & Beasley, Critical Thinking in Nursing: A Cognitive Skills Workbook (2004)
• Writer/contributor for the Mercy Messenger and MCHS’ Vital Signs magazine.  
• Recipient of the Award of Excellence in Scholarship by MCHS Research Committee, the Award of Excellence in Critical Thinking Pedagogy (2006) and a nominee for Outstanding Faculty Excellence award (2007, 2008).

Professional Memberships

• A member of the International Critical Thinking Community (ICTC) through the Foundation of Critical Thinking based in Dillon Beach. CA.   
• A member of the National Network for Critical Thinking Initiatives in Higher Education based out of University of Louisville, KY.  
• A member of Faculty Row Network of Professional Educators.
• A member of the Multicultural/Diversity Issues Group in Iowa Higher Education.   
• Nationally licensed/credentialed as an ordained minister with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, Lake Elmo, MN.

Community Service Involvement

• I have served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for Giving (since 2001) and as President (since 2008).   
• I serve by the appointment of President Decker to represent MCHS on Mercy Medical Center's Mission Advisory Council and Personal Formation Sub-Committee to develop/further the healing ministry of Jesus Christ in and through the entire Mercy organization (since 2007).   
• I have spoken/lectured at various local and statewide churches/schools/organizations and participated in numerous Mercy Mission on the Move community service projects since 2004.
• I have officiated at numerous wedding and funeral services for members of the Mercy family and the community.

Personal History

I enjoy supporting and giving leadership in spiritual life emphases at MCHS including the "Caring Hearts in Prayer" Ministry, Tuesday Reflections and Busy Person's Retreats. The MCHS website homepage on "Spiritual Growth Opportunities at Mercy College" lists numerous activities offered regularly to Mercy students for their holistic and spiritual development. I hope students will avail themselves to these enriching opportunities.     

Some of my hobbies are being a grandfather to my two grandchildren, playing the drums, fishing, biking, exploring astronomy and watching science fiction movies. I love to travel. The places I've visited include Russia, Australia, Holland, France, Germany, Switzerland and Israel. Besides being a die-hard Chicago Cubs, White Sox and Bears fan, I am also an equestrian sports adherent due to my daughter's professional pursuits.