1. Mary Sue Alexander – Published Writing Sample
Children’s Hospital Colorado Chaplains:
Ministering to the Sacred Whole
Claudia Schmitt (MDIV ‘9), Vanessa Owen (MDIV ’06), and Josh Whistler (MDIV ’11) are an
integral part of Children’s Hospital Colorado’s department of pastoral care. They serve as full-
time chaplains to patients and their families, staff, nurses, and doctors – the entire organization
– available for prayer, listening, religious rites, and providing other religious and spiritual
resources as requested. Their department helps in educating staff by offering options for
dealing with stress, parent grief and bereavement, as well as self-care.
“In the midst of the suffering and healing, there is incredible love, hope and faith,” Claudia
Schmitt said. “I’ve been a full-time chaplain at Children’s Colorado for 10 years. I see how the
power of faith sustains people through the suffering. It reaffirms the reality of the sacred.”
Claudia Schmitt and Vanessa Owen are the second generation in their families to graduate from
Iliff. Schmitt followed her father, Carl Schmitt (THM ’55). Owen’s stepfather, James Monroe
(MDIV ’75) preceded her at Iliff.
Chaplains can make a difference in people’s lives by keeping an eye out for special justice issues
and being advocates for families,” Owen said. “Our work here is not specifically religious, but is
a place of meaningful encounters with God. We are participants in care conferences,
interventions and briefings with patients, parents, doctors, and nurses, and serve on
committees of the hospital.”
“Our work is multigenerational, much like working in a church,” says Josh Whistler. “Family
members of all ages are involved in the care of each other, whether it’s the families of our
patients or the staff. When we are called into a situation, people are extremely vulnerable.
They are genuine – in authentic places in their lives – facing challenges that will shape the world
as they know it going forward.”

2. Schmitt, Owen and Whistler credit Bob Flory, pastoral care director, for integrating the work of
their department into every aspect of the hospital. When patients enter, they are asked if they
would like to speak to a chaplain and if they have a faith preference. The spiritual is an
important aspect of their care. Chaplains get referrals from staff, nurses and doctors, and they
may meet people in need of care in the chapel or other parts of the hospital. While chaplains
are each assigned a particular department – critical care, cardiac intensive care, hematology,
oncology, or neonatal – they work together and support each other in their daily work. Clergy
and leaders of other faiths are also on call at patients’ request.
Whistler says, “The best part is that we have the space to be creative. From providing room
blessings in a space where a child has died – a time set aside for everyone who has cared for
the child to share their grief together, honor and remember the child, and prepare the space
for the next patient – the rituals such as the Spirituality Cart, Food and Feelings, or the
Celebration of Light (around the holidays).”
“The Spirituality Cart is for departmental staff having particularly tough times. We provide tea,
cookies, flowers, or music and ask them to help themselves to spiritually oriented art pieces,
sayings or religious symbols,” said Owen. “We invite them to take care of themselves and
provide a moment of laughter and peace.”
“Food and Feelings is a space provided for oncology fellows, medical directors, and doctors
where they can openly talk about the emotions of their work. It is a place of support and
mentoring for those who cannot express their vulnerability in the course of their daily
interactions,” Schmitt said. “The Celebration of Light is one of the many rituals created in our
Spirituality Council to honor the spiritual and religious cultures of the communities represented
here.”
“My Iliff education has served me well,” commented Whistler. Carrie Doehring (associate
professor or pastoral care and counseling) spoke about entering someone else’s religious
territory – being respectful of entering that place, and Rita Berglund’s (adjunct faculty) class
taught me how to listen. The moments that are the most challenging are also the ones that are
the most fulfilling – playing with a baby who doesn’t have family or just holding someone while
they cry. Just being there is all you can do.”