JUNE 24, 1917 - OCTOBER 21, 1999

Born: June 24, 1917; Greenville, South Carolina. Dr. Oates retired as Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He was Senior Professor of Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1947-1974, and again from 1983-1992. He was educated at Wake Forest University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Union Seminary, and the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Oates was a supervisor in the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He was also a fellow in the Association of Professional Chaplains (formerly the College of Chaplains) and a Diplomate in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. He is the author of more than 57 books, and is noted for pioneering the literature for the field of pastoral care and counseling as well as being credited for coining the term, "workaholic." His first book, The Christian Pastor, was first published in 1951. It is currently in its third edition and ninth printing. His books have been translated into three languages. Dr. Oates has also authored hundreds of articles addressing the relationship between faith and healing. Dr. Oates began teaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care and supervising students in Clinical Pastoral Education at Kentucky State Hospital in 1947. That same year, Dr. Oates began serving as theological consultant to Dr Spafford Ackerly, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Oates was a pioneer in pastoral counseling and chaplaincy and in 1974, he formally joined the medical school faculty. He has mentored numerous caregivers in the understanding that treatment requires collaboration, compassion and integration among all of the healing disciplines. Dr. Oates also held pastorates in North Carolina and Kentucky, and served as a chaplain for Kentucky Baptist and Kentucky State Hospitals.