'We do more than just pray': Chaplains take active role at Milwaukee VA and in community
If you think hospital chaplains just pray at bedsides, think again.
At the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, chaplains are much more than comfort providers. They are fully integrated into the everyday workings of the hospital, serving on committees, participating in numerous events and consulting with other subject matter experts.
Their work also goes beyond the walls of the hospital, interfacing with the community to help better reach those Veterans who may not venture into the hospital.
And while they continue to meet one-on-one with patients on a daily basis, they also extend their services to hospital staff, providing solace and support for those dealing with the emotional toll that caregiving can sometimes take on health care professionals.
“There’s been a really big shift here,” said Chaplain Robert Allen, chief of the Milwaukee VA’s Chaplain Services, adding that for too long chaplains were “put in this corner, thinking that we only just pray.”
“We do more than just pray for people. We’re truly engaged in the community, and we’ve been able to show that.”
From Whole Health and Women’s Health to workplace violence prevention, palliative care and suicide prevention, chaplains are tightly woven into the Milwaukee VA’s mission of caring for those who have “borne the battle.”
This approach is emphasized in the Milwaukee VA Chaplain Services’ mission and vision statements, which stress “cultivating, collaborating and innovating transformative spiritual care through a multi-faceted approach” and being “active partners with our health care professionals, our community and those we serve.”
“Our chaplains have done a really good job of executing our vision,” Allen said, noting that chaplains are “asked to be part of almost every aspect of the hospital.”
He said when the chaplains sat down to develop their mission, vision and motto, they discussed “how we define chaplaincy and what we wanted it to look like. It was a collaborative effort of all the chaplains.
“And I think all the chaplains live it out. There isn’t one chaplain on staff who doesn’t do some kind of community outreach or engagement and do the things we say we’re going to do internally.”
And the chaplains buy into this vision with gusto.
“This is so exciting,” said Chaplain Annali Topf. “Chaplain Allen invites all of us to be innovative and to create and do interactive things in the hospital. It’s energizing.”
"Chaplains are integrated more here at Zablocki VA than I have ever seen anywhere in my career inside or outside the VA," said Chaplain LaToya McLean. "For this reason, I believe chaplains can bring creative spiritual care that is effective in a multicultural setting."
Reimaging chaplaincy
This work fits with the vision put forth by the Rev. Kimberly Willis, director of the National VA Chaplain Service, whose nomination in 2023 led to Allen being named the Distinguished Chaplain for VA by the Military Chaplains Association.
“He’s done some amazing innovations that I haven’t seen in other places,” Willis said. “He thinks outside of the box and has transformed the medical center’s chaplains program from a narrow focused (religious services) team to a comprehensive treatment and support activity for both Veterans and employees.”
Allen said it’s important to recognize that chaplains are highly skilled and well-educated, with expertise in spirituality, moral injury, bereavement and grief counseling, to name a few.
“A lot of chaplains are licensed therapists, and they have amazing skill sets in other areas,” he said.
This has led to chaplains co-facilitating many group sessions for Veterans and working closely with outpatient mental health services.
Community connections
In addition, chaplains take their work outside the VA, connecting with churches in the community as well as the other arms of VA, including the Veterans Benefits Administration and the National Cemetery Association.
They also work with the Emergency Department to connect with first responders in the community, take part in empathy training for medical residents and regularly bring in community music groups to perform in the Unity Chapel.
“From golf outings to you name it, we’re asked to be part of those now because they see the value in chaplaincy,” Allen said. “It’s transcending the walls of the VA … to our community.”
Their work extends to VA staff as well: “Tea for the Soul” and “Hydration Stations” help staff connect one-on-one with chaplains, offering support and a listening ear.
Meanwhile, Allen said Sunday morning church services are thriving, with regular attendance of 75-100. He said some Veterans have left traditional churches for the VA service because of the welcoming atmosphere.
‘We’re in a great place’
Allen credits this success to support from leadership and the buy-in from his fellow chaplains.
“We have been blessed. Every chaplain who comes on board quickly buys into the mission. And the team pulls together and says, ‘How can we do this?’ I couldn’t do anything without the team.”
But Allen said there’s more work to be done.
“I am extremely grateful, but we’re still not there yet,” he said. “We’re at a great place —much better than we were before — and we are on an amazing, progressive road, but there is still work to do.”