During Spiritual Health and Awareness Week, Oct. 18-24, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) is recognizing the dedicated Spiritual Health team and the meaningful support they provide to patients, families and staff.
Spiritual Health Practitioners support people as they explore meaning, purpose, hope, values, relationships, identity and sources of strength, while respecting each person’s beliefs, culture and worldview. As well as completing specialized training through the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care and they are Registered Psychotherapists with the College of Psychotherapists of Ontario.
From listening at a patient’s bedside to supporting families through grief and helping staff navigate difficult experiences, Spiritual Health Practitioners offer compassionate care and a safe space to feel heard.
Meet some of the people behind this important work.
Emma Medeiros
Meet Emma - a Spiritual Health Practitioner who draws inspiration from the patients, families and staff she encounters each day.
Whether visiting patients at the bedside, attending rounds or simply sharing a conversation over coffee, Emma focuses on creating a safe, compassionate and non-judgmental space where people can feel heard and understood.
Her Buddhist practice has also shaped her approach to care, emphasizing mindfulness, compassion and being fully present with others.
“The opportunity to tell one's story is profoundly meaningful.”
Isaiah Dada
Meet Isaiah - a Spiritual Health Practitioner whose own experiences with illness and loss shaped his understanding of vulnerability, grief and the importance of having someone present during difficult moments.
For more than 20 years, Isaiah has supported people through illness, uncertainty and loss, providing a listening ear and a safe space to talk about their fears, hopes, relationships and beliefs.
One experience with a patient undergoing cancer treatment reminded him that while we cannot always take away someone’s pain, we can listen, offer hope and remind them they are not alone.
“Sometimes, that presence can be healing in itself.”
Suzanne Robertson
Meet Suzanne - a Spiritual Health Practitioner whose experiences as a patient, caregiver and palliative care worker inspired her to support people facing difficult diagnoses and end-of-life experiences.
Suzanne values the opportunity to support both patients and families through some of their most challenging moments. She recalls one patient who was frightened and alone while waiting for emergency surgery. Suzanne stayed by her side and accompanied her to the operating room.
The following day, Suzanne supported the patient’s daughter.
“There’s something about being able to provide an entire constellation of care – for the patient and for the family member over the course of their admission and beyond, that I find so rewarding.”
Tim De Jonge
Meet Tim - manager of Spiritual Health Services, who says the opportunity to provide care and comfort to people experiencing some of the most difficult days of their lives is what keeps him passionate about his work.
Tim supports patients, families and staff in many different ways, from listening to a patient’s fears and praying with patients at their request to supporting families after a traumatic event or facilitating emotional debriefs for staff.
He also helps patients practise their spiritual and cultural traditions in hospital, including supporting access to smudging in accordance with KHSC’s Indigenous Cultural Practices policy.
For Tim, a meaningful day in Spiritual Health means being there for patients, families and staff in whatever way they need.
As he explains, “A perfect day for me is one that includes all three major elements of our work – care for patients, care for families and loved ones, and care for staff.”
Dan Cranley
Meet Dan - a Spiritual Health Practitioner who values the holistic approach of the profession and the opportunity to support the emotional, spiritual and mental well-being of patients, families and colleagues.
One of the most meaningful parts of his work is crisis intervention. He recalls supporting a patient following a traumatic motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a loved one. By creating space for the patient to acknowledge and process their loss, Dan was able to offer a meaningful human connection during an incredibly difficult time.
For Dan, self-care is an important part of providing compassionate spiritual care. He finds balance through yoga, running, time in nature, friendships and laughter.
“I feel at home in this profession.”
During Spiritual Health and Awareness Week, we thank our Spiritual Health team for the compassion, presence and care they provide every day. Their work helps patients, families and staff feel heard, supported and connected when they need it most.
