Doylestown Health volunteer chaplains provide emotional and spiritual support

In 1923, the women of the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA) celebrated the opening of the Doylestown Emergency Hospital by rolling up their sleeves. As the founders of the eight-bed hospital, they took on tasks ranging from hiring and managing staff to fundraising, painting, and weeding. They were driven by a commitment to the community and the hospital’s mission “to continuously improve the quality of life and proactively advocate for the health and well-being of the individuals we serve.”

A century later, the VIA continues to lead the way, along with the many dedicated members of the local community who, through stewardship, philanthropy, and volunteerism, are at the heart of Doylestown Hospital’s tradition of treating the whole person.

A hospital stay can be an emotional and challenging experience for patients and families. Many times, they are making decisions, processing a new diagnosis, or contemplating a transition to comfort care.

“We believe people are connected emotionally, physically, and spiritually,” said the Rev. Maggie Ainslie, director of Pastoral Care at Doylestown Hospital. And, while pastoral care services at many hospitals are provided by seminary students and retired clergy, Doylestown Hospital has 45 trained chaplain volunteers who visit patients to offer a listening ear and a non-judgmental, caring presence.

“In the hospital, while everyone else handles the physical part, we get to help with emotional and spiritual support,” Ainslie said. “We focus on letting people feel heard, seen, and cared about.”

The conversation with a patient or family member may turn into a spiritual discussion or an opportunity for them to talk about the frustrations of being in the hospital, what they are hoping for, or what frightens them.

“As chaplains, we try to walk through the journey with you as much or little as you want. You can say no to us, too. That’s totally fine,” Ainslie said. “If you would like to see a representative from your faith community, the Pastoral Care team can arrange that for you.”

Chaplains come from all walks of life

Before Loretta Catrambone became a volunteer chaplain, she was the director of anatomic pathology at a life sciences and health care company. “I enjoyed my role at work and knew I was helping people,” she said. “As a volunteer chaplain in retirement, I have an opportunity to engage with patients one on one.”

Dan Rackers, a laicized Catholic priest who later married, became a chaplain volunteer after retiring from his pharmaceutical sales and marketing career. “Because of my background, I thought serving as a volunteer chaplain would be rewarding and fulfilling—and it is,” said Rackers, who has served as a chaplain since 2022.

Ann Russell traveled the world studying nurse midwifery in the United Kingdom and doing mission work in Ghana, Haiti, and Mexico. She was the first registered certified nurse midwife in Boston and had training and experience as a hospital chaplain before starting at Doylestown Hospital, where she has volunteered as a chaplain for nine years. “I enjoy visiting patients,” Russell said. “They have an array of feelings, questions, and experiences. It’s very satisfying to think that we can help people at different stages of life.”

All volunteer chaplains complete 80 hours of training with Ainslie and fulfill additional requirements to become a Doylestown Hospital volunteer.

A day in the life of a chaplain

A chaplain’s day begins at the Pastoral Care Office, where they acquire a list of any patients or members of the hospital care team who may have requested a visit, along with the names of patients on their assigned unit.

“I start by seeing people who have requested a visit,” said Rackers. From there, he knocks on each patient’s door and introduces himself. “It is not our purpose to go in with a set of objectives and we are not fixers. We want to meet the patient where they are, identify with them, and let the individual and their loved ones take the lead. We also help nurses and other members of the hospital team who ask for encouragement or support.”

“We wear ordinary clothing and a badge identifying us as a hospital chaplain,” Rackers said. He noted that there is no expectation regarding the number of people each chaplain sees. So, they can spend as much time as the patient needs.

Volunteer chaplains serve in the Emergency Department, and they help families who have lost a loved one or are making decisions about hospice or organ donation. “If a patient goes into cardiopulmonary arrest, a chaplain is notified and available to support the family while the medical team works to resuscitate the patient,” Russell said.

When spiritual support is desired

Sometimes, patients ask a chaplain to pray with them. They may request a favorite prayer or ask us to lead a prayer.

“We have had whole families hold hands and pray together with a patient,” Russell said. The Pastoral Care Department has beautiful prayer blankets that comfort patients as they heal. If a patient passes away, the family can hold onto the blanket as a memory.”

Talking to a patient helps to guide the chaplains in prayer. “We get to know what the patient’s concerns are,” Russell said. “Often their worries are not for themselves, but for their family members.”

Of course, every visit is different and unpredictable. “From time to time, a prayer can fall flat,” said Rackers, as he recalled a memorable patient visit. “After a wonderful conversation, the patient requested a prayer. Once we started, I felt like I was really hitting the right buttons with my words that day.”

Suddenly, Rackers heard his Mozart ring tone. He had forgotten to silence his phone. Knowing it would eventually stop, he continued praying. Afterwards, he apologized for the interruption only to discover that the patient and her friend particularly enjoyed the beautiful musical accompaniment he had chosen for the prayer!