Author: Haley Gable
"I have the opportunity to enter a patients’ life and their families lives in one of the most intimate and difficult times, and to be someone that can help them find some peace, some comfort, some resolution. Even bring some joy during that time. That’s the greatest honor I have as a chaplain."
Dr. Brandon Hempel was a pastor for nearly two decades before he began his journey as a hospice chaplain. Now, he’s nearly five years into a career with McLaren Hospice and has achieved his Board Certification in Chaplaincy.
“A little over five years ago, someone told me I’d be a great hospice chaplain, so I began to pursue that a little bit. One thing led to another and I found myself at the Homecare Group in Lansing applying for a chaplain job with McLaren Hospice,” he said.
Hospice chaplains are an integral part of the hospice team, as patients and their families seek peace towards the end of life. Chaplains plan, access and care for the spiritual
needs of both the patients and their families during end of life care.
This past winter, Dr. Hempel completed his Board Certification in Chaplaincy which consists of taking classes, taking a test, and showcasing his skills in front of other certified chaplains. Along with bolstering his career, his board certification benefits his patients, as this training ensures all his patients have their spiritual needs met and managed. He plans to continue his chaplain education to continue evolving his patient care abilities.
“The gold standard is four CPE’s (Clinical Pastoral Education) completed, then pursue board certification. Then, in hospice chaplaincy, there’s actually one more certification I’m going to start working towards this fall. It makes you a specialist in palliative and Hospice care chaplaincy,” said Dr. Hempel.
He expressed that being a chaplain does not require him to be of any certain Christian denomination, nor does it require that his patients practice any certain religion.
“Chaplaincy is not a denominational or religious specific. We are there for everybody regardless of what they believe,” he said.
As a mobile chaplain, Dr. Hempel spends his days starting at his home office, then roams the greater Lansing area, visiting his patients wherever they live.
“Dr. Hempel’s role reaches far beyond the typical expectations as a hospice chaplain,” said Jodi Leveille, McLaren Lansing Hospice manager. “He once dropped what he was doing to help a patient get baptized prior to her passing, and that the patient’s family continues to call to express their appreciation.”
Leveille expressed that Dr. Hempel goes above and beyond his hospice role, providing services to the palliative care team by aiding and assisting the team with their patients.
The intimacy of visiting a patient and their family at their home is sacred to him, and he looks at his role as an honor.
“Chaplaincy is a wonderful fit for me. That leads me to say, what’s best about the job is the opportunity to enter a patients’ life and their families lives in one of the most intimate and difficult times, and to be someone that can help them find some peace, some comfort, some resolution. Even bring some joy during that time. That’s the greatest honor I have as a chaplain,” he said.
Dr. Hempel’s commitment to his role stretches far beyond a job, or career. He explained that hospice clinicians tend to have a calling for hospice; they stay in the field out of love.
“We do it because we love the people, and we believe in them,” he said.
At McLaren, we are proud to provide the highest level of compassionate care, in whatever setting an individual calls home – whether that’s their lifetime residence, an assisted living facility, adult foster care, a nursing home, or even in a hospital for a short-term stay. At a time when grief, pain and fear can be overwhelming, McLaren will bring the care, comfort, and support that you need.
Hospice is more than health care — it’s family. If you or someone you love requires additional information regarding hospice services, let us help by calling (866) 323-5974.