Spiritual Care In a Secular Environment

Growth.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHERE YOU GREW UP.

I grew up in an agnostic household in Asia. I came to faith in junior high and was blessed to grow tremendously in my faith through my college ministry. I knew early on in medical school that I wanted to integrate my faith with medicine. Despite being a part of a strong Christian Medical and Dental Association chapter in my medical school, I didn’t really know how to practice spiritual care. I was blessed to attend Medical Evangelism Training and Strategies (METS) preceptorship as an early fourth year medical student, and it revolutionized the way that I practice medicine, helping me understand the ethics and benefits of spiritual care and ensuring the incorporation of whole person care for my patients in my practice.

IN WHAT WAYS DID YOUR EDUCATION AT LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY INFLUENCE YOUR CHARACTER AND YOUR APPROACH TO MEDICAL PRACTICE?

I attended an internal medicine-pediatrics residency at Loma Linda from 2008–2012. I always appreciated Loma Linda’s mission: to “continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ,” as that speaks closely to my heart as well. Even though residency was often challenging, filled with very sick patients and long sleepless nights, knowing that I was working alongside others to further God’s kingdom and healing ministry was something that helped me keep going. I was blessed to continue to be able to practice and learn more about spiritual care while at Loma Linda for residency and build a supportive and amazing community/fellowship with fellow Christians who are also passionate about whole person care.

IN A SECULAR SYSTEM, ARE YOU STILL ABLE TO PRACTICE YOUR FAITH? IF SO, WHAT LIMITATIONS, IF ANY, DO YOU ENCOUNTER?

I am now a med-peds faculty member and an associate program director of the med-peds program here at UCLA. I’m eternally grateful for my experience and training at Loma Linda. Without the proper, structured spiritual care training from METS/Loma Linda, I would not be able to sustainably practice whole person care at a liberal secular academic medical center. While spiritual care is not commonly practiced here, I have the confidence that practicing whole person care with sensitivity and respect is not only allowed but often welcomed by many patients. Amidst the worldly darkness and often hopelessness that many experience, there’s even more of a spiritual hunger for hope and joy that only the Lord can give. I’ve been surprised over time that even agnostic patients that I didn’t expect would appreciate prayer have welcomed it when offered with respect.

ARE THERE ANY STORIES YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE ABOUT PRAYING WITH PATIENTS?

One of my long-term patients is a 71-year-old non-binary patient on low-dose estrogen from their endocrinologist. They never really seemed interested in talking about faith in the past. Three months ago, they were unfortunately diagnosed with colon adenocarcinoma. Suddenly, the spiritual floodgates seemed to open. As they pursued surgery and chemo, they then openly shared how they and their wife are now consistently going to a local church and how important prayer has become to them. When I asked if it would be helpful to pray, they enthusiastically agreed. While we finished praying, they looked up with tears in their eyes and sincerely thanked me for caring for them not only medically but also emotionally and spiritually.

I have heard multiple patients share how they have never been offered prayer by physicians before and how grateful they are that I have offered this to them. I think for those of us who know Christ, we have this amazing gift of eternal hope and joy that we can share with those around us and point them toward the love and peace of God!