For many of us, 2020 has certainly changed how we live our lives in unexpected and challenging ways. Social distancing, mask wearing and staying at home may at times create feelings of isolation, sadness and frustration. Add a cancer diagnosis into the mix, and things can really change. As an oncology nurse navigator, I have the honor of …
Questions often arise in times of crisis — how do we make sense of the chaos? How can we cope with uncertainty, anxiety and fear? Where do we find hope in times such as these? Community is what is what we need now. When people come together in unity, the darkness cannot overtake the light; …
The power of community: Finding and being the light in dark times Read More »
There is a wide spectrum of opinions and beliefs about prayer. Some believers simply see prayer as “communicating with God,” while others metaphorically describe prayer as “a telephone line to Heaven” or “the master key” to unlock the divine door. But no matter how you personally perceive prayer, the bottom line about prayer is this: …
It may sound odd in the middle of a pandemic, but never have I been more thankful than I am now. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, I have also been feeling a lot of other competing emotions like fear, grief and anxiety. Yet right there with me, and quite surprisingly so, is an immense amount …
There was no history of cancer in my family. With the diagnosis no one wants to hear, that history changed. As I approached my 70th birthday, I had no idea how grateful I would be to survive that milestone. During the months leading up to my diagnosis, I had gone from being active in my church and …
One of the first lessons I learned starting out as a young chaplain 23 years ago was to listen. My experienced supervisor assured me that the patients I encounter will be some of the wisest people with whom I’d ever have the privilege of conversing. He was right, and I’ve been listening ever since — …
5 lessons cancer patients have taught me about faith Read More »
In order to improve the health and wellness of a community, we must find a way to bridge the gap between healthcare and faith. To that end, Baylor Scott & White Health’s Faith Community Health program leverages the power of support and faith to enhance the lives of at-risk individuals. The program pairs volunteers from …
Back in 1997, a group of Baylor chaplains, physicians, social workers, nurses, and other staff from various faiths gathered to explore ways to contribute to our founders’ mission for a great humanitarian institution where people of all faiths and those of none could come with equal confidence. One of the main visions of this Interfaith …
Honoring Maya Angelou, Acclaimed Writer Dies at Age 86 Read More »
It would be impossible for me to tell you all that I’ve seen over 30 years as a chaplain and have you believe one-third of it. Not unless you’ve worked in an acute care hospital setting yourself. From trauma rooms to waiting rooms outside of emergency departments and intensive care units, to psychiatric and chemical …