Celebrating Clergy and Chaplain Appreciation Month: Spotlight on Chaplain Elizabeth L.

Chaplains play an essential role in ensuring we provide holistic hospice and palliative care that addresses not just physical, but also the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their families. For Clergy and Chaplain Appreciation Month, we spoke with Chaplain Elizabeth L. who has worked at Islands Hospice for eight years, helping patients and families navigate the profound emotional and spiritual challenges that arise at the end of life. Read on to learn more about her journey to becoming a chaplain and about the important care that they provide to our community.

Supporting Patients of All Beliefs

As a chaplain, Elizabeth offers spiritual guidance to people of all faiths, including those who don’t have religious traditions. She talks openly with patients and families to understand their beliefs and ensures everyone is treated fairly no matter their religion or culture.

Chaplains also work with other community-based faith leaders and can work alongside a patient's chosen religious leader when asked.

“Chaplains can provide emotional support, compassionate listening, and offer to be a spiritual sounding board. It is a conversation,” said Elizabeth.

An Inspiration at Ground Zero

Elizabeth's journey to becoming a chaplain began after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. She was in New York City, working in a church during the attack, assisting survivors by offering emotional support and prayers. She was inspired by a chaplain at Ground Zero, which led her to enroll in a Clinical Pastoral Education Program.

“There was something so compelling about his presence and the holy way he held the space that touched my heart and struck a chord within me,” said Elizabeth.

After completing the program, she worked as a chaplain in the prison system, behavioral medicine, pediatrics, and trauma units before shifting to hospice and palliative care, where she could provide support to those throughout their end-of-life journey.

Holistic Care for Patients and Families

Our chaplains work hard to ensure that the clinical component of hospice care goes hand-in-hand with the emotional care. For Clergy and Chaplain Appreciation Month, we express our deepest gratitude to our team who are a constant source of solace for patients and their families.