Priest and PA

Since graduating with his Master of Divinity in 2020, the Rev. Cliff Syner has integrated his work as a priest with his background as a physician assistant. In addition to serving as priest of Church of the Resurrection, he is president of RISEN

Wellness, a nonprofit health care clinic in Clarksville, Tennessee. Alumni Associate Rebecca Terhune recently caught up with Syner about this work.

How did you get started in your discipline? Who or what inspired you?

Syner: “In 2012 I was serving as a physician assistant in Afghanistan on the border with Pakistan. It was a rough mountainous area, and life there for locals was very difficult. As part of my duties, I worked with the local doctor that served in the village near our location. After many cups of tea and getting to know each other, he lamented that he struggled with babies that often died under his care. I asked him what they were dying of, and he shared that diarrhea was the leading cause of death. His treatment for these infants included telling the moms to stop breastfeeding because, in his mind, ‘stopping liquid in would stop liquid out.’ Unfortunately, this treatment would lead to dehydration and, sadly, is part of the reason Afghanistan has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. I was shocked. I couldn’t believe how such a simple misunderstanding of health could be the key to saving the lives of babies in the area.

In the following weeks, I trained this doctor and his assistants in the essentials of public health. Over the next year, we watched the infant mortality rate drop in the villages he supported. I was so grateful to God for the opportunity to help make such a dramatic difference. I even considered briefly, ever so briefly, how I could get my family there after my time in the Army ended to continue the work. Of course, that was not in the cards! I prayed for a way to help in the U.S., to help those who needed healing. In my research, I found that lifestyle disease in the United States is similar to what I experienced in Afghanistan. Much of what we see in chronic disease, elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes is driven by lifestyle choices. Much like in Afghanistan, a slight tweak in how we live could dramatically reduce disease.

Tennessee suffers from one of the worst chronic disease rates in the country, and I felt there was a lot of opportunity to help make a difference here. After my time in the Army, our family moved back to Tennessee and bought a small sheep farm and market garden. We taught nutrition and health on our farm to those who came to visit, and I worked as a physician assistant in primary care. I eventually found Functional Medicine, which works to find the root cause of illness and use nutritious food, exercise, and other lifestyle modalities as often as possible to help lead to health. The more patients I treated, the more I realized the connection between eating and living in the rhythm of creation that leads to wellness. I recognized that the created order was designed for human flourishing. With this revelation, I began to believe that God’s grace is available to us through creation in some way that I couldn’t yet understand. Through continued prayer and research, I came to know this as a sacramental worldview and was led into the Anglican way.”

Describe your call to be both a physician assistant and an ordained priest. How have these calls been similar and how have they been different?

“As a small boy, I remember my grandmother walking me through the woods in West Virginia, teaching me the healing properties of the plants growing wild around us. In my early 20s, I worked as a flight medic and then went to PA school. I have always felt like my place in this world is to help bring healing. During an Anglican 101 class in 2016, I remember Fr. Ray Kasch teaching that in the Anglican way of following Jesus, pastoral care is critical. He recounted the story of Jesus asking Peter if he loved him and Peter’s responses. As a sheep farmer, I was intimately aware of what it means to tend to sheep and all the muck and joy that can come with it. At that moment, I felt the calling of the Holy Spirit to ordination. It would be a couple of years and much discernment before our family would move to Nashotah House. I sensed that in some way my work in the medical field would be intertwined, but I wasn’t sure yet how.”

How did you decide to open your nonprofit health clinic, RISEN Wellness?

“I was reading a book on evangelism by Bishop Benjamin Kwashi, and in it he wrote that missionaries in Africa were planting clinics and schools, and then churches were growing out of that work. While we do not have an issue with access to care in the same way that many African countries do, we do have an issue with access to Functional Medicine. The increased visit length and in-depth labs often drive the cost up for these integrative services. Often this care is not covered under the health care model in the U.S. Insurance models tend to focus on managing chronic disease rather than true wellness, which is the goal of Functional Medicine. With this in mind, we have gathered like-minded believers in middle Tennessee who are passionate about seeing health in mind, body, and spirit become more accessible.”

Can you describe what you do to help people move towards health?

“St. Augustine said, ‘Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know Thee, and desire nothing save only Thee.’ Often our coping mechanisms with unhealthy lifestyles are both a symptom of an underlying need and prevent us from focusing our energy on Christ. Throughout the tradition of the Church, you see vigils and fasting used not to punish the body but to help the body focus more clearly on God. Living within the created order and flourishing in health allows us to get out of the way and more fully live.

For our patients, this journey starts with a lengthy intake form. With this information, we will have a one-hour visit, including a physical exam and a full discussion about their health story. Based on this time together, we will order comprehensive labs to better understand the inner landscape of the patient’s physiology. With all of this information, the patient and I collaborate to assess the root cause of illness and develop a plan to help patients move towards wellness. Often this treatment plan has the structure of a Rule of Life, just like we studied at Nashotah House! We have periodic follow-ups and labs to track progress and adjust the plan as needed to help each patient succeed. We also have local partners who help support patients who cannot afford this care and offer a sliding scale.”

Describe a typical day for you as a priest and PA.

“A typical morning starts around sunrise with Morning Prayer, with each patient of the day being prayed for and a cup of tea. My wife, Lisa, works as a trauma therapist. We are fortunate to work similar schedules and often have a little family time in the morning before starting our work day. Currently, I spend two and a half days of work in the clinic seeing patients, and the rest of my time is given to my work as a parish priest.

We see in Scripture and in medical science that rest is essential. Sometimes rest looks like a long run, a hike, or a book by the fire, but being mindful of the stress in my life and addressing it is something I try not to miss.”

What is your current research? And do you have any plans for upcoming research?

“I am currently working on my D. Min. at Nashotah House and studying the neurobiological implications of Anglo-Catholic worship. I love learning more about our traditions and how each aspect of our worship and prayer life impacts our health, individually and corporately, as a Church.”

What are some fun things you do when not engaged at the clinic or at your church?

“Lisa and I love to hike. Whenever we can, we try to get out in the woods and spend time together. My oldest is recently married, and our two younger children are nearing the end of their high school careers. We have cheerleading, soccer, and family meals to fill our time.”

What were some pivotal moments that stand out to you that you can point to and say, “Nashotah House taught me that.”

“Nashotah House taught me to ‘see.’ My faith had always been more intellectual and reasoned, based chiefly in my own mind and a checklist to keep me on the right path. Nashotah opened my eyes to the mystery of our faith, the mystery of the Eucharist and Christ’s love for us in a tangible and real way. Living there with my family opened my eyes to Christ in community in a way I never knew possible. In the tough times and joyful times, we always prayed together. Nashotah revealed Christ in creation in the beautiful setting on long walks and on work days raking leaves and picking up sticks. Not only for myself, Nashotah was formational for my wife and children as well. We reflect on our time there with fond memories and deep friendships.”

What advice would you share with current students at the House?

“I came to Nashotah wanting to be immersed in a liturgical life that had been foreign to me. I quickly found parts of that rhythm and community challenging. Looking back, these parts of me needed to be formed. My encouragement is to be curious about your inner landscape when frustrated or upset with assignments or community conflicts. Work to understand what needs to be tended to in your own heart. Pray that in the formational work of community and school life, you will be given the grace to cooperate as you walk closer to Christ.”