The Spiritual Care Department upholds the definition of spirituality used in our field which is “…the dynamic aspect of human life that relates to the way persons (individuals and community) experience, express and/or seek meaning, purpose and transcendence and the way they connect to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, to the significant and/or the sacred. Spirituality is expressed through beliefs, values, traditions and practices.” (Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2014.)

We welcome and include all people, and work in collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team. Our Spiritual Care Providers (SCPs) are assigned to specific units throughout the hospital, where we respond to referrals and visit most patients and families needing spiritual support. Frequent situations to which we are called include patients, families or staff grappling with moral distress; patients and families facing a new diagnosis; having to decide on treatment options; looking to change their goals of care from curative to palliative; and needing to explore their end-of-life concerns and ethical issues.

Our Team: 

Rev. Donna Blagdan, BCC, Director of Spiritual Care

Rabbi Shulamit Izen, MAHL, BCC, ACPE Certified Educator, Director of Clinical Pastoral Education

Chaplain Roxan Del Valle, MDiv, Spiritual Care Provider – Pediatrics

Rev. Carlos de Pina, BCC, Spiritual Care Provider – General Medicine

Chaplain Kate Gerne, MDiv, BCC, Spiritual Care Provider – Oncology

Rev. Ethan Loewi, MDiv, Spiritual Care Provider – General Medicine and Emergency Department

Rev. Erica Long, MDiv, Spiritual Care Provider – Psychiatry, Respiratory, and Emergency Department

Chaplain Maryclare O’Brien-Wilson, MDiv, Spiritual Care Provider – Neuroscience and General Medicine

Father Elias Ojomah, MA – Catholic Priest

Chaplain Kathryn Santilli, MDiv, Spiritual Care Provider – General Medicine

Chaplain Julie Supple, MDiv, BCC, Spiritual Care Provider – Cardiology, Eucharistic Ministry Program

Working alongside us are Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Residents.

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