Episode 90: Chaplaincy & the NICU ft. J.S. Park

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? 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.    Read the CNN article: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/09/18/health/hospital-chaplain-lessons-wellness-cec/index.html   Connect with J.S.: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jspark3000 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jsparkblog  Twitter: https://twitter.com/jsparkblog  Website: https://jsparkblog.com/    The NICU is hard. We’re here to help.   Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby’s NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English and Spanish.   Connect with Hand to Hold: Learn more or get support at handtohold.org   Follow Hand to Hold on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handtohold Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handtohold/   Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/NICUHandtoHold YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HandtoHold    The following music was used for this media project: Music: Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Music: Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license