UR Medicine Thompson Health recently named the Rev. Janice Lum as its new manager of Spiritual Care and chaplain.
Lum is an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, with ecclesiastical endorsement to serve as a chaplain globally. She formerly practiced as a registered nurse, and has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years, beginning her work in chaplaincy 10 years ago.
She received clinical pastoral education at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and enjoyed the Essentials of Palliative Care Chaplaincy course at California State University’s Shiley Institute for Palliative Care. In May of this year, she received her master’s of divinity from Northeastern Seminary in Rochester, and she considers herself a lifelong learner pursuing studies in spiritual direction, theology and further clinical pastoral education opportunities.
At Thompson, Lum is excited about redesigning the Spiritual Care department and program. She is focusing on four components in the department’s development including competency, culture, compassion and community.
“Spiritual care and chaplaincy have evolved over the past decade. With that awareness, the culture of spiritual care will be impacted in positive ways at Thompson,” Lum said, adding her oversight and launch of the compassion partner volunteer program will bring patients companionship and conversation, which she said are foundational elements in healing and wholeness.
Lum recognizes the ongoing community connections at Thompson are important and said she seeks to continue to develop positive partnerships with local clergy.
“We believe that spirituality can be valuable at times of crisis, thanksgiving and celebration as well as during transition,” she notes. “Every individual is different and has different spiritual needs. The spiritual care of individuals often involves their faith and religious practices, but there are times that spiritual care is not tied to any religious beliefs. Spiritual care seeks to meet the needs of each individual.”
Lum is available at Thompson for spiritual support, including conversations surrounding goals of care, processing transitions and the impact of next steps related to one’s journey.
Spiritual Care at Thompson also includes:
- An interfaith chapel, open 24/7
- Grief support
- Chapel services throughout the year
- Prayer before surgery
- Administration of sacraments as well as facilitation of practices for celebration, mourning or healing
- Contacting the patient’s faith community or clergy upon request
- Compassion Partner volunteers who are present for companionship, conversation, and prayer
- Ongoing spiritual care for residents at the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center, Clark Meadows, and Ferris Hills at West Lake
For more information on becoming a Compassion Partner volunteer, go to Thompson’s Volunteer Page, call the Spiritual Care office at (585) 396-6486 or call the Volunteer Office at (585) 396-6660.