This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

Russ Myers, Nikki Holm and Gwen Powell are chaplains at Allina Health Emergency Medical Services and in this episode, they join Rob Lawrence to discuss the role of chaplaincy in EMS. The guests discuss their role and responsibilities as well as the book, “Because We Care: A Handbook for Chaplaincy in Emergency Medical Services,” written by Russ Myers.

Over the past half century, the field of chaplaincy has come to a fork in the road. Many will recognize the well-traveled path of traditional chaplaincy. Others will follow the newer but clearly marked way to professional chaplaincy: a clinically trained, evidence-based discipline, reflecting and serving the diverse expressions of spirituality in modern society. Until now, chaplaincy in EMS has been the terra incognita, the unknown land on the map. Drawing on three decades of clinical chaplaincy practice, scholarship and original research, Russell Myers charts the map, making the case for ambulance service chaplaincy: how to think about it and how to do it.

TOP QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE

“For me it’s all about love, how can I bring some light, some life, some love into the world, and I am able to do that in these situations by just showing up as we call in chaplaincy – the ministry of presence.” —Gwen Powell

“I do this work is to come alongside people and remind them of their humanity to help them break down their defenses and their shields to get back to the truth of who they are, to help them be seen and heard and taken care of.” —Nikki Holm

EPISODE CONTENTS

1:23 – Introduction Russ Myers

2:43 – Introduction Nikki Holm

4:00 – Introduction Gwen

7:35 – Book discussion: Because We Care – The Role of the Chaplaincy in Emergency Services

11:20 – Terra Incognita

12:30 – What motivates a chaplain?

15:30 – A chaplaincy intervention story

20:15 – A chaplain’s workload

23:00 – Being Proactive: Establishing a trusting relationship with the workforce

23:30 – Being Reactive: when an incident or issue occurs

30:15 – Education and being a presence during training

34:58 – If you are thinking about introducing g a chaplain

36:30 – Moral Injury and the social contract

40:40 – Overcoming the staff stigma about coming forward

42:00 – Close

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON THIS TOPIC

• “Because We Care: A Handbook for Chaplaincy in Emergency Medical Services”

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Russell Myers serves as a chaplain for Allina Health Emergency Medical Services, based in Minneapolis. He holds a BA from Ohio State University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. Russ is ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is board certified with the Association of Professional Chaplains. He lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Gwen Powell is an ordained episcopal priest and board-certified professional chaplain who has been working with Allina EMS since 2020. Prior to working for Allina, she provided spiritual care to patients and staff on the adolescent behavioral health units at the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. Gwen graduated from Valparaiso University with a degree in psychology in 2008 and earned her Master of Science in Psychology from Kansas State University in 2010. She earned her Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN in 2014 and has been passionate about mental health chaplaincy since beginning her ministry work in 2015. In her free time, she likes to beat her husband and kids at Mario Kart, exercise, walk/hike with her family, watch baseball, and sing with the Northern Lights Chorale.

Nikki Holm has been engaged in the meaningful work of EMS Chaplaincy through Allina Health since the Spring of 2020. Prior to making the transition to EMS, Nikki provided spiritual care and health education in an outpatient mental health setting for several years. Nikki was board certified with the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. in 2017, graduated with a Master’s degree in Spirituality from St. John’s School of Theology in 2007 and with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from The College of St. Benedict in 2005. Nikki lives in an earth home with her husband, their three beloved children, and three furry companions. Outside of soaking up life with her littles, Nikki enjoys rock climbing, writing, reading, yoga, gardening, and otherwise spending time with her tribe. Contact Nikki at [email protected].

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