A key element that sets Kettering Health apart from other healthcare systems is its dedication to whole-person care. A cornerstone of that commitment is spiritual care, and behind that is a team of chaplains who provide daily service, guidance and hope to patients, families and staff. 

“Chaplains are not only present during moments of crisis,” said Nestor Bruno, System Director of Mission and Ministry at Kettering Health. “They also help create a culture of whole-person care by paying attention to the spiritual and emotional needs that often accompany illness, trauma, grief, uncertainty and healing.”

While many see chaplains during their most difficult moments, few understand the years of training it takes to answer that calling.

Chaplaincy has been part of Kettering Health since the beginning. Its Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program has trained more than 1,300 chaplains since 1968. Every year, the program brings in 16 interns and eight residents to help them gain hands-on experience alongside experienced chaplains.

“Chaplaincy is learned in patient rooms, nursing units, emergency situations, family meetings, staff support encounters and interdisciplinary care settings,” Bruno said. “CPE also includes classroom learning, group reflection, case studies, written reflections, supervision and feedback. But the heart of chaplain training happens through supervised ministry in real clinical situations.”

Each chaplain’s journey sets off from a different path, but each includes theological education and clinical experience.

Chaplains must complete CPE, a program combining classroom instruction with hands-on ministry in a hospital setting. Each of the units are around 400 hours, providing real experience and mentorship before pursuing board certification. While certification requires four units, many chaplaincy positions require more.

“Our goal is not only to fill positions, but to form chaplains who can serve with competence, compassion, and integrity,” Bruno said.

Bryant Smith, Manager of Spiritual Care and CPE educator at Kettering Health’s Main Campus, saw his journey begin after 20 years as a pastor. While serving in congregational ministry, he completed CPE training and discovered a passion for chaplaincy that brought him to a full-time position.

“I was one of the extended students that did it in conjunction with pastoral ministry, and I just kept going,” Bryant said. “I wanted to become a board-certified chaplain, so I went through that process to become certified. I began to serve more within the hospital, and then I finally decided to make that transition fully to the hospital.”

Bryant now guides the next generation of chaplains through the same program that helped form his career.

Dario Maldonado, a chaplain at Main Campus, experienced a similar path to chaplaincy. After serving as a pastor in South America and Texas, he moved to Dayton to complete the program.

“After the residency, I wanted to continue the experience,” Maldonado said. “When I was finishing my residency, I heard one of our full-time chaplains retired. Of course, once the position was open, I applied right away.”

He now serves as a full-time chaplain, caring for patients and staff while also supporting and guiding students in the same program he once learned from.

Not all chaplains start their career with years of ministry experience under their belt. Debi Robertson, a chaplain at Kettering Health Hamilton, entered the program after retiring from 30 years as a Butler County social worker. When she learned of the CPE program, she discovered Kettering Health’s acceptance of students without any completed units.

“A lot of hospitals want you to have a unit before they will even take you into the program,” she said. “Kettering was the only one that would take you without any units, so I applied.” 

While completing her units, she served as a resource for KH Hamilton, a community she was familiar with having been a social worker there. After completing four units in April, Robertson now serves as a full-time chaplain.

“The way the program is set up, you get to use the gifts and talents that you have to do this work,” Robertson said. “This is ministry. We get to minister to people and show them God’s love.”

Chaplains across the system stand as a pillar of support for staff, patients and families from all faiths and backgrounds.

“Chaplains provide spiritual, emotional and relational support to patients, families, and staff,” Bruno said. “They help ensure that the healing ministry of Kettering Health is experienced in practical and compassionate ways.”