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Episode 90: Chaplaincy and the NICU

October 25, 2023

Guest: J. S. Park, Chaplain, Author & Viral Blogger

We all have preconceived ideas about what a hospital chaplain is, or isn’t. So, in this conversation with author and chaplain J.S. Park, we discuss how families might utilize their services, receive an advocate and find someone to hold space in a difficult moment.

In this episode, we chat about:

What led you to pursue a career as a hospital chaplain?
When we hear the word “chaplain” that may conjure up many things for many people. What’s your primary role as a hospital chaplain?
Do chaplains go through training and if so, what does that look like?
When are some reasons a chaplain may come into your hospital room?
What can patients ask of a hospital chaplain?
Can you explain how the role of chaplain differs from, say, someone’s pastor or leader figure at their place of worship?
Has COVID changed the way you serve your patients?
How do you recover from the hard days as a hospital chaplain so you can be present to the next family in their time of need?
I think chaplains are often an underutilized resource for patients in a hospital setting. What’s your best advice to a family struggling through a hard day and how can a chaplain help?

About J.S. Park:

J.S. Park is a hospital chaplain, published author, and viral blogger. For eight years he has been an interfaith chaplain at a 1000+ bed hospital that is designated a Level 1 Trauma Center. His role includes grief counseling, attending every death, every trauma and Code Blue, staff care, and supporting end-of-life care. He also served for three years as a chaplain at one of the largest nonprofit charities for the homeless on the east coast. J. S. has a MDiv completed in 2010 and a BA in Psychology. He also has a sixth-degree black belt. He is the author of The Voices We Carry: Finding Your One True Voice in a World of Clamor and Noise (published by Northfield). His next book, on grief, released May 2024. J. S. currently lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife, a nurse practitioner, and his three year old daughter and adopted dog.