When a patient is undergoing a difficult time in their life, some may turn to the support of one of Mason Health’s Volunteer Chaplains.
 

The Chaplains, each of whom have different theological backgrounds, visit Mason General Hospital on a rotating schedule and are available on an on-call basis. They are available to offer comfort and a respite for patients, loved ones, and staff members from the stresses they may be experiencing.

Mason Health’s team of five Volunteer Chaplains include Anglican Reverend David Hockaday; Our Buddhist Chaplain Denise Carrico; Faith Lutheran Church Pastors Doug Peterson and Terry Oliver; and Church Leader Nancy Niero of United Church of Christ.

“Our No. 1 job is to provide spiritual and emotional care,” said Pastor Oliver. “I love hearing patients’ stories and getting to know them. At one of my last visits, a patient was actively dying. Being able to be there and offer prayers and words of comfort is important.”

• Chaplains cannot proselytize, and their care must be patient-directed. Each of our chaplains has experience providing spiritual care in a medical environment.
• Chaplains round with the patients on their own and connect with nurses to ask which patients might need emotional support.
• Chaplains are on-call, night or day, for anyone needing spiritual or emotional support. To request a Chaplain, please ask a nurse or other staff member during your visit.

“Every one of the Chaplains are amazing, caring and thoughtful," said Amy Nussbaum, RN, who works in the Medical-Surgical-Pediatrics unit and regularly connects patients with Chaplains. "Patients appreciate when they come, and they remark on their kindness. Sometimes it’s just nice to have another person to talk to, praying or not.”
 

If you are interested in learning more about Mason Health’s Chaplain program, email volunteer@masongeneral.com or visit the Volunteer Services page to learn more about volunteering programs.
 

Interested in becoming a Volunteer Chaplain? Please check out our volunteer webpage, where you can find the Volunteer Application!