IN THIS EPISODE:

It can be hard to make tough decisions even in the best of circumstances. It’s even more challenging in times of crisis when you or a loved one are suffering with a chronic or potentially life-threatening illness or injury. It can be overwhelming and it’s easy to feel lost. It's the job of hospital chaplains to support patients and family members in navigating these trying times and helping them make what can be some of the most difficult decisions they will ever face.

Today’s guest, Ted Taylor, is a chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care & Training at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton. Ted supervises the spiritual and emotional care provided by the hospital’s more than twenty volunteer and intern chaplains. He also supervises a clinical pastoral education training program affiliated with the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP). Ted is a liaison to nearby religious communities and partners with area congregations to provide compassionate support to neighbors in need. He also is a clinical resource for bioethical and end-of-life dilemmas.

In today’s episode Ted and I discuss: what a chaplain does in their everyday work life; using “reverent listening” to discover, understand and clarify what’s most important; making sense of complex and/or vague situations; defining hopes instead of outcomes; and how to maintain a sense of resiliency and calm when the world around you is chaotic and tumultuous.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Chaplain Tedford J. Taylor, MDiv, BCCC, FHPC, Dip. CPS, Director, Pastoral Care & Training

Ted joined Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton in 2007 as the Director of Pastoral Care & Training. Prior to joining RWJ Hamilton, Ted spent five years as Manager of Spiritual & Complimentary Care for Samaritan Hospice, Marlton, NJ. Prior to this, Ted served as the executive director of the New Jersey Unit of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (now Learning Ally) in Princeton, NJ. Ted also has parish ministry experience as a lay pastor in the United Methodist Church and business administration experience as a community banking officer in the Baltimore, MD region.

Engaged in the life of our greater community, Ted has served on the Board of Trustees for Mercer Street Friends (a local human services agency). Ted is also a founding member of the NJ Goals of Care Coalition. He is active as a member and treasurer of the Princeton Chapter of the College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy (CPSP) and serves on the Medical Society of New Jersey Bioethics Committee. On a national level, Ted is a member of the Certification Committee for CPSP, and also recently chaired the steering committee for Quakers in Pastoral Care & Counseling.

Ted holds a diplomate in pastoral supervision through CPSP, and is board certified as a clinical chaplain with CPSP, with a clinical fellowship in hospice & palliative care. Ted is also a member of the Association of Professional Chaplains, the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, and the American Society for Bioethics & Humanities. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, a graduate certificate in Healthcare Law & Policy from Union Graduate College, and a Bachelor of Arts from The College of William & Mary. He has attended the theological studies programs at Regent's Park College at Oxford University, Oxford, England; and The Ecumenical Institute in Baltimore, MD. Ted completed Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training through Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia and Cooper Hospital / University Medical Center, Camden, NJ. He completed his CPE Supervisory training at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ.

Ted resides in Ewing Township, Mercer County, NJ with his husband Kevin Hulbirt. He is a recorded minister in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and an active member of the Yardley Monthly Meeting in Yardley, PA, who endorse his pastoral care ministry.

SHOW NOTES:

Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom, on Amazon at https://amzn.to/31kplJi.

INSIGHT AT WORK PODCAST THEME MUSIC:

Our theme music is composed by Chris Lucca, Jr.. You can listen to more of Chris’ work on SoundCloud: SoundCloud.com/fliplucca and find him on Twitter: @FlipLucca.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Ken Blackwell is a speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. His signature practice is "rescuing Accidental Leaders and Dysfunctional Teams". His firm InKlaritas, based in Princeton, NJ, works with teams and leaders in companies in the U.S. around the world. You can find out more about InKlaritas at: www.InKlaritas.com and connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethjblackwell/.