Buen Vivir CPE
Online CPE programs
Our Faculty
Rev. Silvia Tiznado-Smith
MDiv., BCC.
Buen Vivir CPE Director & Founder
ACPE Certified Educator
Rev. Silvia Tiznado-Smith is the Founder and Director of Buen Vivir CPE, an ACPE-accredited program offering Level I and Level II Clinical Pastoral Education. She holds a Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology and was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2006.
She has served as an interfaith chaplain since 2004 and has been a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) since 2007. Certified as an ACPE Educator in 2018, she brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare chaplaincy, including work in palliative care at Mayo Clinic Hospital and El Camino Hospital.
In 2013, she played a key role in the successful accreditation of the Palliative Care Team at Banner Medical Center.
Her commitment to pastoral education includes significant leadership in Clinical Pastoral Education programs. She joined San Francisco Theological Seminary’s Ministry program in 2016, where she co-facilitated a Summer Intensive CPE unit and later led multiple extended and full-time units. She also developed and facilitated a bilingual (English/Spanish) CPE unit, expanding access to theological education for Spanish-speaking students.
A bilingual Mexican-American educator, Rev. Tiznado-Smith is committed to expanding access to CPE for diverse and underserved communities. She is also a U.S. Army veteran.
Rev. Jarda Alexander, BCC
Rev. Lynn Brown-Duffy
MDiv., BCC.
ACPE Certified Educator
MDiv., BCC.
ACPE Certified Educator
Jarda Alexander is an ACPE Certified Educator, APC/NAVAC Board Certified Chaplain, and ordained minister in the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. She spent 10 years in healthcare as a pharmaceutical sales consultant, 3 years as a youth and young adult minister, 12 years as a Chaplain, and 6 years as a Certified Educator.
Rev. Veronica Martinez-Gallegos
Rev. Michael G. Schirmacher
MDiv., BCC.
ACPE Certified Educator
MDiv., BCC.
ACPE Certified Educator
Veronica is an ordained minister endorsed by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Veronica has over a decade of chaplaincy experience, including a palliative care residency at Atrium Health. She earned her M.Div. from Campbell University (2014) and achieved Educator Certification in 2022. Alongside her husband, Rev. Hugo Gallegos, she has served in congregational ministry for 30 years.
An Episcopal Priest ordained in 1981 and an ACPE Certified Educator since 1989, Michael has over 40 years of experience in clinical and congregational leadership. He has served as Director of Pastoral Care and CPE Manager at prestigious institutions including M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, St. Elizabeths Hospital, and Austin State Hospital. Since 2017, he has specialized as a Contract Educator, providing online and in-person supervision for healthcare systems across the U.S. Michael’s ministry is marked by a commitment to diversity and bilingual service, having served parishes in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Mexico.
Beth Newton Watson is an ACPE Certified Educator and United Methodist clergy member with extensive experience in clinical education and healthcare settings. She has worked with diverse CPE students nationwide, including in virtual programs, and has served on the ACPE Certification Commission.
She is passionate about helping students integrate their identity, beliefs, and ministry practice, and is committed to innovation and lifelong learning in theological education.