Honoring the Heart Behind Healing- Pastoral Care Week
Pastoral Care Week | October 19–25, 2025
This week, we recognize the compassionate work of our Pastoral Care team at HaysMed, the quiet strength behind emotional and spiritual healing for patients, families, and staff. Our chaplains offer more than comfort. They bring presence, peace, and purpose to moments that matter most. Their work is deeply personal, often unseen, but always felt.
Curious about how they care for others, and themselves? Read the special Q&A with our Pastoral Care team.
William Chad Pritchett
Chaplain | Baptist
13 years in pastoral care, 2 years at HaysMed
Q: What’s something people might not realize about the role of a chaplain in a hospital setting?
A: Chaplains do more than spiritual care. We advise, we help deescalate situations, we provide emotional support and care for patients and associates. We are trained in Crisis Intervention Stress Management for first responders. We are patient advocates and many times advocates for associates and family members.
Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned from patients that has stayed with you?
A: Each person is created uniquely and has their own challenges in life. To have a listening ear is the greatest gift we can give someone.
Q: How do you care for your own emotional and spiritual well-being while supporting others?
A: I love spinning bike at the Center for Health. Being able to go and spin for 30–40 minutes allows me to let the stress and care of the world go for a little while. I also love my family and spending time with my grandchildren. Each morning, I get up before anyone else and start the day by asking God to lead and guide every encounter that I will have in the hospital. Knowing that God is in charge and directing my path removes the burden of performance.
Q: How do you build trust with someone you’ve just met in a vulnerable moment?
A: One of the most trusted aspects of our jobs is meeting someone who is vulnerable. We must address their need for safety, acknowledge what they are going through, facilitate understanding through empathy and a discerning ear, and encourage them in their journey. Once trust is lost, it is nearly impossible to get back.
Steve Schulze
Chaplain | Foursquare Gospel (Liberty Foursquare Church)
25 years in pastoral care (21 years at Labette Medical Center), 4 years at HaysMed
Q: How do you work with nurses, doctors, and other staff to support holistic care?
A: It is my desire to make everyone around me that I have the privilege of working with, the best that they can be. I recognize that it requires different ways at different times. The principle that I have learned and live by is from the teaching of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew where it says, ‘You are the light of the world … so let your light shine before all men.’
My desire is to light up other people’s lives whether it might come from:
• an encouraging word
• a high-five
• a special treat (a scone)
• a smile
• a hug when needed
• or maybe most important, a listening ear.
Vanlalhmachhuani (Amy) Gelatt
Chaplain | North Oak Community Church
4 years in pastoral care, all at HaysMed
Q: How do you help patients and families from different faiths or backgrounds feel spiritually supported?
A: Peace is a deep need for the soul and spirit in distress. It is a privilege to be an empathetic and caring presence. Although I know I may not be able to provide that peace, I can surely intercede for them. Sometimes just being there without any clever words but for them to know that there is an individual who is willing to be there for them across differences just because they matter as individuals is an opportunity that I would take for anyone. I believe that every human is fearfully and wonderfully made. Everyone is valuable and important, even in our most vulnerable times.
Q: How do you work with nurses, doctors, and other staff to support holistic care?
A: I consider it a high honor to support the professionals. Sometimes each are occupied with their specific roles and although they may want to invest in the families and friends of patients, they simply are unable to do so in order to care for the urgent physical need of the patient. I am able to close some communication gaps and provide attention and sometimes pray with the families who so desire.
David Kumer
Chaplain | Mennonite Brethren
3 years in pastoral care, 1 year at HaysMed
Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned from patients that has stayed with you?
A: Not to put a time limit or expectation on any visit. Any patient visit could go to a million different places and needs. Allow the patient to have the time needed to feel comforted or allow them to have space as needed. Perhaps today is not the day to have a long visit, perhaps a shorter visit is better today. Follow the nonverbal cues and verbal cues from the patient.
Q: How do you help patients and families from different faiths or backgrounds feel spiritually supported?
A: Connecting them with a spiritual leader of that faith or background. If they are a Christian, then walking through the promises of the Christian faith with them. If they are of another faith background, reaching out as the patient desires to a spiritual leader of that background in the community.
Let’s take this week to reflect on the invaluable role our chaplains play in healing, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Their presence is a gift, and their care is a cornerstone of our mission at HaysMed.
