Healthcare Chaplaincy -

I became a healthcare chaplain 10 years ago. This was a dream I have had since I was 13 years old. However, I did not know this was possible being a woman and Mormon, and so I took a circuitous route to this "calling," first looking into social work, then sociology, then anthropology, then finding the closest connection in Folklore. Here I was able to listen to others share their lives, better understanding their beliefs, their ways, their actions, and just being, what I've come to learn is a chaplain's phrase, a "Listening/Healing Presence."

However, I wasn't willing to put this dream aside, and once I found out I could become a Mormon woman over 40 chaplain, those dreams were realized, and after much work I earned my certification to become a healthcare chaplain. Not only one certification, but two, and one specialty in Palliative Care chaplaincy. I've written so many times about this dream - this passion of mine. And I've written about the day I was able to begin receiving a paycheck for my chaplaincy - because even though it's a service, just like a social worker or a doctor or a nurse or a tech, it is a livelihood.

And after 6 years of serving as a hospital volunteer, and 4 years of being an on-call chaplain and a part-time chaplain, I was offered a full-time Palliative Care Chaplain position a couple of weeks ago. And not to brag, but to brag - I am the first full-time female chaplain Intermountain Healthcare has had, the first FT, female, Palliative Care Chaplain Intermountain has had, and I am elated.

There is a need for healthcare chaplains, particularly for chaplains who have experienced crazy life situations and can empathize with those they serve - patients and colleagues. I won't say it yet - but hmmm, divorce, second marriage, cancer, near-death, father dying, son-in-law nearly dying . . . I've always said the one thing I love to collect is "experiences."

I am welcoming, with open arms, my 40 hour work-week, benefits, paid time-off, a 401K, and the opportunity to serve without trying to crowd way too much into 18 hours of chaplaining and then volunteering to cover what I couldn't do during that time.

I'm happy to move from multi-jobbing to focusing on one job, and then spending time at home with Scott and my family. I have taught night school at UVU for 14 years; it will be nice to not have to do this any longer. Multi-tasking is one skill I didn't recover after cancer treatments, and these past 4 years of chaplaining and teaching and editing and private counselling have been tough.

So - here are to dreams, and realities. I KNEW, KNOW that I'm supposed to be a chaplain at Utah Valley Hospital. I KNEW, KNOW I was supposed to be a professor at Utah Valley University. And I'm happy to be a part of an amazing team - I have never ever ever been on a team - I've always worked alone, remote, as adjunct, or as the only woman. My team rocks!

It's time for me to focus now on serving through chaplaincy, and I'm so grateful for this opportunity. Besides - I can hold hands and give hugs, something typically only a female chaplain can offer.

PS - when I googled "Chaplains," all I found were pictures of male military chaplains. When I googled "Healthcare Chaplains," many of the images were from Utah and included women! I'm excited that finally, in the 21st century, healthcare and the LDS church (my chaplain certification organization requires an endorsement from my faith group) are recognizing the need for women in this role.