Episode 90: Chaplaincy & the NICU

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

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?

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. 

Connect with J. S.:

Instagram: @jspark3000

Facebook: facebook.com/jsparkblog 

Twitter: @jsparkblog 

Website: jsparkblog.com/