Please see the following message from Michigan Medicine Spiritual Care Department:

The word “chaplain” carries many connotations and can bring about many feelings. Because of that, we’d like to offer information on chaplaincy here at Michigan Medicine, where we have a staff of more than a dozen chaplains and a training program that has 4-6 interns for a six month program and four residents who are with us for a year.  

We understand spirituality as the part of the human experience that searches for meaning, purpose, and connection (Christina Puchalski). Some people do this through religion; others have different sources to assist with this search. Especially during life transitions or changes, people may need support in their own searching, which is where chaplains come in!

Our chaplains are a diverse collection of providers rooted in their own practices while trained to support people across the spectrum of faith relationships - including those who don’t have faith practices. They are available to support patients, family members, staff, and can also support you!

If you are feeling overwhelmed, are having moral qualms about care provision, questioning the role of The Creator in the midst of suffering, seeking rituals for solace, navigating a religious accommodation request or simply someone to talk through what you are experiencing as a trainee, you can meet with one of our chaplains.

If you are interested in a presentation at the intersection of faith and patient care or trying to navigate patients incorporating their faith, our chaplains can also be a resource. Our diverse team of interfaith chaplains includes chaplains rooted in a variety of Protestant traditions, Catholicism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

If you encounter a patient or family member who is struggling to cope with their situation, navigating meaning making, seeking religious ritual, questioning their faith teachings, or who would benefit from de-escalation support, Michigan Medicine chaplains are available 24/7. Urgent needs can be paged to the on-call chaplain at 2919; other needs can be placed as a Spiritual Care Consult in MiChart. If you’d like to schedule a 1:1 with a chaplain you can reach out via email to schedule: UMHS-chaplain@med.umich.edu
 

Meet Some of the Team

Rabbi Sara Adler

A published poet, Rabbi Sara has a deep appreciation for narrative medicine, the connections between nature and spirituality, and animal assisted therapy. She provides care for our Jewish patients throughout the hospital and has close experience with the medical training journey as she is married to a physician. In her free time, she’s often out in her garden or looking for birds.

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Chaplain Maryam Ashraf 

Maryam leads spiritual care groups in inpatient and outpatient units and also visits Muslim patients.  She loves being outdoors and exploring what brings us closer to authenticity.  She facilitates creative writing and theater workshops in the local prison and loves connecting peopleto their inner child. 

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Imam Kamau Ayubbi

Currently serving with the Healthcare Equity Consult Service, Imam Kamau previously covered the Neonatal ICU, and our adult and pediatric mental health programs. A mystic, poet, and artist, Imam Kamau also often leads the Muslim jummah service from 1:35 - 1:55 in the Mott Chapel.

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Chaplain LJ Brazier

I work mostly in inpatient palliative care. I particularly like supporting serious illness communication and helping folks with values based decision making. I'm always curious about questions around empathy (What is it? Where does it come from? Can it be practiced, learned, taught?) and autonomy (what does it mean to people? What does it imply? Is it a one-size-fits-all or is it different for different people?) Touching dirt grounds me, literally and figuratively. I love trail running, cycling, backpacking, gardening, home reno. The Sesame Street character I relate to the most is Oscar the Grouch - I care about people deeply; but then I need to hide in my trashcan.

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Chaplain Rev. Al Daniel

Our night chaplain, Rev. Al can be found throughout the hospital on his overnight shifts.  He is also a Baptist minister in Ann Arbor and a good person to offer a calm presence and listening ear when things are lonely or difficult at night.

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Chaplain Rev. Michelle Jendry (she/her or they/them)

Hello! I’m Chaplain Michelle, and I primarily work in Mott with our young ones and their families in 7E and the PICU. I also have experience in trauma/ER and adult ICU. I love storytelling, play, and encouraging wonder and exploration! In my free time, I like to be outside (especially near the water), play rec sports, read, take classes to learn new hobbies, and go to museums. Please ask me about spirituality in Star Wars if you want to distract us both from ever getting our work done.

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Chaplain Kelsey Lewis

Currently working as a staff chaplain with the Stepping Stones Pediatric Palliative Care team, in the Pediatric Cardiovascular ICU, and serves on the Perinatal Infant and Reproductive Loss committee. Kelsey is a pediatric and palliative care trained interfaith chaplain who has worked throughout C.S. Mott Children’s hospital, in adult palliative care, and is an Ordained Animal Chaplain through the Compassion Consortium.

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Chaplain Dr. Pat Lyndale

A longtime BMT chaplain, Chaplain Pat is an Episcopalian with a significant background in clinical ethics. An avid mystery and fantasy reader, she is beloved among colleagues for her generous and delicious baking. She grew up in Michigan, then lived in many other places. She’s now back to stay!

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Dr. Shama Mehta

A Dharma practitioner rooted in Hinduism, Chaplain Shama’s primary role is as an educator supporting our clinical pastoral education chaplain trainees. An avid journaler and author of the Hindu Grief Journal, she leans into reflective inquiry, curiosity, and poetry as means of self discovery.

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Chaplain Dr. Julie Nielsen-Schmidt

My primary focus is Lutheran patients.That said, I’m happy to see anyone who is happy to see me. I grew up in western Michigan. I love great lakes kayaking and look forward to nature walks. I find joy in reading, doing crossword and sudoku puzzles.

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Chaplain Rev. Bruce Paul

Hi! I am a Board Certified with the Association of Professional Chaplains and have been with Michigan Medicine, listening and supporting patients and staff for almost 10 Years. I have worked on all shifts and in all parts of the Health System, now working as primarily outpatient chaplain in the Rogel Cancer Center as part of Patient and Family Support Services, but still see inpatients as well. I love the outdoors, whether camping, hunting, hiking, or kayaking. I am an ordained non-denominational Christian minister, and I am endorsed by 242 Community Church.

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Chaplain Pastor Tricia Payne

Walking alongside patients, families, and staff during some of life's most meaningful and challenging moments is my sacred privilege. I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education right here at the University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine and am grateful for the opportunity to care for people of all faiths, backgrounds, and life experiences. I am an endorsed Seventh-day Adventist chaplain and commissioned pastor who enjoys gardening, nature watching, walking, and bike riding in my spare time.

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Chaplain Jaye Starr

Currently serving the CCMU and CVC ICUs, Chaplain Jaye is a self professed geek with a deep love of Islamic bioethics and an avid reader of “work” related books (trauma & its healing, medical memoirs, health equity etc). Outside of the hospital, Jaye runs nonviolence training rooted in trauma healing and is mom to two kids - including one with a bonus chromosome.

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Fr. Joy Thaiparambil 

A Catholic Priest from India, with 36 years of Priestly experiences, primarily takes care of our Catholic patients and their family, including with Sacramental needs. He moves across the hospital whenever, wherever and to whoever wishes to have priest help. His main hobby is connecting with his own friends and family via phone.

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Rev. Dr. Christina Wright (she/her)

Christina serves as the Associate Director of the Department of Spiritual Care and the Administrative Manager for the Healthcare Equity Consult Service. Along with supporting her teams, she is interested in institutional spiritual wellness, healthcare equity, program development, and research. She is happy to meet with anyone interested in learning more or developing ideas. She is ordained in The United Methodist Church. She enjoys family time, sports, and being on or near water.