What is your role at the VNA?
As a chaplain on the hospice team it is my responsibility to coordinate spiritual care and emotional support to our patients, families and my teammates. Spiritual care reminds and/or helps individuals discover that they are valuable and have purpose because they are human, not because of that can do.
What do you love about your role?
I love serving in this capacity because I get to see and encourage my teammates to use their competency and compassion to affirm the value of each person we serve and each person with whom we serve. Whether we are giving a medication, giving a bath, ordering treatment, finding benefits for a family in need, completing an office assignment or listening to someone, we all have a part in providing spiritual care. Working together we affirm our patients value and them experience joy and finding hope even in the midst of terminal illness.
Why do you love working at the VNA?
Because through our relationships with the families we serve and our teammates, we can encourage one another and affirm that every person has value and purpose.
Any suggestions on how people could celebrate Spiritual Care week?
Give attention to your own spirituality. Where do you find purpose, hope and joy?
Fun Fact:
I don’t have any biological children, but I have more than 100 former interns with whom I maintain contact. They serve many different roles (CNAs, CEOs, Military officers, Physicians, Nurses, Ministers, Musicians, Wives, Husbands, Mothers, Fathers) on four different continents.
*THANK YOU CHAPLAIN BURBERRY FOR ALL YOU DO FOR VNA PATIENTS!
