Va' Nechia Rayford, M.Div
Va’ Nechia M. Rayford has served as the Director of Spiritual Health at Emory University Hospital, Emory University Orthopedics & Spine Hospital, and Emory Wesley Woods Hospital since September 2021. Previously, she managed the ACPE accredited Clinical Pastoral Education programs at The Bay Area Center for CPE in San Francisco, CA, as well as Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley, CA. Va’ Nechia’s educational achievements include a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Film from California State University, Long Beach, the Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and the Juris Master from Emory University School of Law.
Va’ Nechia is an ACPE Certified Educator and Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains. She also serves in various ACPE leadership capacities: Accreditation Commissioner, theory paper consultant, as well as National Faculty for candidates in the ACPE certification process. Va’ Nechia received her ordination in the Methodist tradition and has served as a pastoral care instructor, bereavement support group facilitator, and pastoral care administrator in various religious and congregational contexts.
Va’ Nechia’s greatest passion in ministry is co-journeying alongside others in their vocational discernment process as they discover their divine calling and purpose as compassionate, competent, and equipped spiritual care clinicians, educators, and leaders.