Central Arkansas Chaplains Recognized as Service Heroes

The Infirmary chaplains were recognized as Service Heroes for displaying the value of COMPASSION.

The Chaplains recognized include Father William Carpenter, Sister Mary Francis Amanfo, Chaplain Cindy Goza, Father Warren Harvey, Chaplain, Chaplain Bob Musser, Chaplain Mary Martin, Paula Swaim and Chaplain Barry Walker.

From the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the chaplains of have risen to the challenge of ministering to our patients and our coworkers under unique and challenging circumstances. As the hospital was forced to limit, and for a time prohibit visitors, the chaplains provided spiritual and emotional support for all our patients and their families through their presence and by facilitating communications in whatever way possible.

The chaplains have assisted our nurses and physicians in coordinating visits with patient’s families and by advocating for our patients at times when they were not able to speak for themselves. Our chaplains have helped to maintain the connection between the patient, their family, and their community in every department from critical care, med/surg, cardiac, ED, CTC and outpatient/pre-op.

Perhaps even more significantly, our chaplains have continued to minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of our coworkers during a very stressful time. Our chaplains have intentionally been present for our coworkers in order to provide support and care for those who daily give of themselves to care for God’s people. Through their presence, prayers, and support, our chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support for our coworkers, whenever it is needed, days, nights or weekends.

This has meant extra time spent on the units with coworkers one-on-one, exploring new ways to address issues like compassion fatigue, wellness, resilience and guiding coworkers through the painful process of losing a patient and adapting to the stress of our current COVID reality. They have answered the call to this ministry and epitomize our values of compassion, integrity, excellence, collaboration and inclusion.