From Deseret News archives:
Chaplains serve on front lines of empathy
13 graduate from local VA's Clinical Pastoral Education
"Last time, we prayed for you," she says softly. She strokes his forehead. "Everyone's here to support you."
At the window, chaplain resident Catherine Toronto asks the 86-year-old man's daughter, Tammy Wilkerson, how she and Zollinger might serve her.
Wilkerson says the family's doing OK. But after 15 days in the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center following her dad's heart attack, the Lapoint, Uintah County, mother misses home. She misses work. She shares a photograph of her dad from days long past. She doesn't want him to die alone.
"Did it help to have a prayer last time we were here?" Toronto asks.
Wilkerson, whose father is not religious, pauses. "Well," she says, "it helps me."
That's what the chaplains are hoping for.
On Thursday, 13 chaplains graduated from the Clinical Pastoral Education program at the Veterans Affairs' Salt Lake City Health Care System. The VA program, which began last September, is conducted through the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy.
"My job is to build interfaith chaplains that can serve in any environment, anywhere...to bring hope and compassion, and aid in (the) healing process," Allison said. "Doctors and nurses care for broken bones and body systems but not the broken heart, not a troubled relationship, not for grief and bereavement that have precipitated emotional problems. That's what the chaplains do."
Chaplains don't preach, but they do pray with patients and families who want to. The chaplains seek out a person who can pray in the family's faith tradition, if the family prefers that.
At the VA hospital, chaplain residents walk from room to room, introducing themselves to patients and asking if they would like to visit.
"We're not missionaries, we're not proselytizers, we're not social workers," says Toronto, who, like Zollinger, has about six months of study left in the program. "We facilitate spirituality, not religion."
The chaplains strive to offer a listening ear, kindness and service. Not all patients want to share. But some patients who send chaplains away call them back.
Recent comments
Great Job Guys! Go Heal the Nations, thanks for your kindness and...
Dave | Aug. 1, 2008 at 10:03 p.m.
I completed the Dept of VA course "Spiritual & Medical Dimensions of...
Serve The Lord | Aug. 1, 2008 at 11:12 a.m.
Congratulations to the Chaplains and to those that train,teach,and...
Congrats!!! | Aug. 1, 2008 at 10:09 a.m.
- 2 stranded hikers rescued 2:00 p.m.
- Groups file suit to stop mine 1:50 p.m.
- Belichick stands by decision 1:38 p.m.
- Adding truth serum to her cereal 1:37 p.m.
- Ex-Marine recruiter pleads guilty 1:37 p.m.
- Of naps, babies, and winter holidays 1:36 p.m.
- Mom seeks to remodel motherhood 1:33 p.m.
- Breastfeeding as weight loss plan 1:32 p.m.
- Food fight? Nah, I'll just wait 1:31 p.m.
- Groups to tackle invasive plants 1:30 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- Win in New Mexico good for Y?
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- Bennett at center of GOP storm
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
215 - Will state consider gay rights law?
156 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
131 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
111 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
93
American Express says it's not going to be a closed-wallet holiday for...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
should swap
"Anonymous | 1:30 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009 He was such a good missionary. I don't...
I'm ok with people taking risk. But when things go bad, don't go asking the...
Sorry U fans we love Bronco as our Coach. It's you guys who don't. So stop...
um ... She was not on the streets ... It will be good to get some closure...
Salt Lake City wants to be honored by every dictator-run 3rd world country as...
If in you wildest dream Utah ever wins the NC, they can never be ther first...
Jan Jorgensen- "It wasn't that we were flat, we just were not crisp." I'm...
to where? Big 12 - not unless the Big 12 kicks Baylor out C-USA - lol ...
At least AK is remembering the Alamo! The goal here folks is to get two...

