Our Chaplains

Hospice of the Comforter employs 14 full-time chaplains and one part-time chaplain, as well as our CEO, Robert G. Wilson, M.Div. Our chaplains come from a wide variety of backgrounds; two are Roman Catholic, two are Methodists, two Baptists, one Messianic Jewish, one Jewish, seven Seventh Day Adventists and one Church of Christ. We have a chaplain from Costa Rica, one from Belize and one from Ghana. Three are bilingual in Spanish and English; two of our chaplains are female. All chaplains hold a minimum three year Masters degree and additional clinical training on top of that. Two chaplains are presently enrolled in doctoral studies. Our Pastoral Care department is headed by director Don Taylor, M.Div.

Pastoral Care Services

Patients and their families and friends often have spiritual needs and concerns as a result of living with an incurable illness or caring for someone who does. Some common spiritual questions that arise include: What role does faith play in my life? How do I prepare for death? Why must I go through this? What happens when I die? Does God still care for me? Is it okay to be angry with God? Is God angry with me?

Chaplains are available to help in the quest for insight into these and many other questions. They assist patients and their families in seeking peace, hope and resolution.
Sometimes people simply need to share their thoughts and feelings with someone
they know will listen compassionately and confidentially. A chaplain can be that someone.

Our chaplains support and respect those who hold a variety of religious and non-religious convictions. Chaplains are able to assist a person from any or no faith perspective. Patients and their families can be assured that they will be comfortable with their chaplain no matter what their background may be. Our chaplains never attempt to challenge or change anyone’s viewpoint. Rather, they approach each
situation from the point of view of the patient and assist them and their loved ones in every possible way within their unique personal framework.

Hospice of the Comforter chaplains are trained to adapt quickly to any situation and to adopt the style of ministry with which patients and families are comfortable and familiar. When requested by the patient or family, chaplains will be happy to arrange for a priest, rabbi, imam or other clergy person to visit and perform desired rituals of a faith tradition. Hospice of the Comforter also has the only Jewish hospice program, Yad L'Hesed, in Central Florida.

HOTC’s chaplains provide more than spiritual support. Sometimes hospice patients and family members need help in selecting and contacting a mortuary. Chaplains have
experience with this and can provide additional resources and skills that can be helpful.
In addition, chaplains can guide families through the process of planning funeral or memorial services, designing experiences that both honor the departed loved one and comfort the grieving family. Hospice of the Comforter chaplains are available to conduct services upon request.

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