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Chaplain Services

Our spiritual care team is specially trained to provide holistic, spiritual care to persons of all religious faiths, including those without any religious affiliation. Some of the services that chaplains can assist with include the baptism of infants, communion, pre-surgery prayer, contacting the respective pastor, priest, clergy, or to be someone to talk to about spiritual needs. The spiritual care team can be reached through the hospital operator or by calling their office at (559) 624-2263. An on–call chaplain or priest is available for emergencies through the administrative supervisor.

We also have a chapel available for you. This is a place of quiet reflection that is always open for your convenience. The chapel is located on the first floor near Patient Access and the information desk.

Our spiritual care team is specially trained to provide holistic, spiritual care to persons of all religious faiths, including those without any religious affiliation.

Spiritual Care Team Videos

Power Up for COVID 2.0 (Kent Mishler)
You have what it takes to get through COVID-19 and you can make a difference. In this video, Kent Mishler, our Director of Chaplain & Volunteer Services, describes how powerful just one degree of effort can help power change and get you through another week.


Impact Others (Jason Backlund)
Focused on the words of American baseball icon Jackie Robinson, help others reflect on the positive impact we can have on someone today. Here's Jason Backlund, a Chaplain at Kaweah Health, with more.


Keep on Dancing (John Sayers)
Dancing is the act of exposing yourself to what CAN go wrong, the possibility of MISSING a beat, and the idea of embracing inevitable CHANGE. Sound familiar? The #COVID19 pandemic has been an album full of different tunes and songs for all. LISTEN as John Sayers, on-call Chaplain at Kaweah Health, reminds you that it’s okay to adapt to the different beats and KEEP DANCING them with passion.


Flying A Plane (Mark Wilson)
Imagine flying a ✈️ during heavy winds or a storm? That’s the same scenario we’re living today with the turbulence that is #COVID19; we just don’t know what lies ahead. LISTEN as Mark Wilson, Chaplain at Kaweah Health, reminds us that YOU’RE THE PILOT OF YOUR LIFE and it’s up to you to take control. Don’t forget to KEEP FLYING and KEEP LIVING.


Changing Traditions (Kent Mishler)
Typically, this holiday weekend, we see the wonderful TRADITIONS that unite Americans all across the nation. But, sometimes it’s okay to break the norm of tradition in the name of safety for the common good. LISTEN as Kent Mishler, Director of Kaweah Health's Chaplain Services, reminds us that changing our traditions can lead to FUN changes in our lives, as we protect those around us.


Hallelujah (Ronna Ross)
A Hallelujah moment denotes an exuberance—a light that may not always be seen. This unexplainable feeling or action can happen to anyone. LISTEN as Ronna Ross, Chaplain at Kaweah Health, explains the different ways these moments come into our daily lives.


Rising in Challenging Times (Daniel Boyce)
Challenges in life allows our patience to grow, and overcoming those challenges helps us to become the kind of caregivers we aspire to be. LISTEN as Daniel Boyce, Chaplain for Kaweah Health's Hospice Services, encourages us to use every day as an opportunity to grow, and to do so TOGETHER.


You'll Get Through This (Kelly Pierce)
At some point, we've all felt like the gray skies will never brighten, or the load of stress will never lighten. We may feel trapped or stuck, but things DO get better with time. LISTEN as Kelly Pierce, Volunteer Coordinator at Kaweah Health, reminds you that hardships DON'T last forever and you will get BETTER.


Choosing Happiness (Kent Mishler)
The last few months have been overwhelming and it may seem like it's nearly impossible to control what will happen next. But, there's one thing you can control: your CHOICE to be HAPPY. LISTEN as Kent Mishler, Director of Kaweah Health's Chaplain Services, reminds you to CHOOSE HAPPINESS.#ChooseHappiness #VisaliaStrong #BetterTogether #HeroesWorkHere


Making Big Differences with Small Acts of Kindness (Stephen Bennett)
The smallest act of kindness can make a difference. LISTEN as Stephen Bennett, Chaplain at Kaweah Health, tells you how.


Restarting Your Life (Mark Wilson)
The last few months have certainly managed to make life more stressful for everyone. Wouldn't it be easy to just press RESTART? 🔊LISTEN as Mark Wilson, Chaplain at Kaweah Health, talks about how we can experience a restart through RENEWAL in our daily lives.


Power of Kind Words (Jason Backlund)
In a time where crisis seems to dictate our minds and influence our thoughts, let us remember the IMPACT of our words. A kind word can lift others up and also better your day. LISTEN as Jason Backlund, Chaplain at Kaweah Health reflects on the POWER OF LANGUAGE.
#SpreadKindness #VisaliaStrong #BetterTogether #HeroesWorkHere


Carpe Diem: Seize the Day (John Sayers)
In times of trouble, we often forget to stop, reflect, and cherish. LISTEN as John Sayers, on-call Chaplain at Kaweah Health, reflects on the importance of cherishing TODAY. #CarpeDiem #VisaliaStrong #BetterTogether #HeroesWorkHere


Love is Universal (Ronna Ross)
This pandemic has shifted everyone's lives, and the change seems never-ending. But despite the hardships, one thing is for sure: demonstrations of LOVE keep pouring in. Times like these encourage people to unite for the common good, to lend a hand, and to overcome any obstacles—each one of these led by #love. Remember, LOVE IS UNIVERSAL. Show it. Feel it. Share it. #BetterTogether #VisaliaStrong


Sharing Your Struggle (Stephen Bennett)
We look over our shoulder more than ever. We are constantly on the edge. We fear the unknown. These thoughts are inevitable during the unprecedented times we face. But, IT'S OKAY. WE are going through this #COVID19 pandemic TOGETHER. A stranger, a friend, a neighbor, a loved one: each one is going through the same turbulence. It's not easy, but acknowledging a shared struggle makes it easier. #BetterTogether #VisaliaStrong #HeroesWorkHere


Every Sparrow Counts (Kelly Pierce)
The #COVID19 pandemic has created new challenges in everyone's lives. But, every person's struggles matter. Every person's well-being matters. LISTEN as Kelly Pierce, Volunteer Coordinator of Hospice Chaplaincy at Kaweah Health, compares a sparrow's precious value, to the special value each one of us has. Regardless of how hard things get, you're not alone. Someone cares about you. #YouMatter #VisaliaStrong #BetterTogether


Trust: Thinks Will Get Better (Chaplain Mark Wilson)
During this #COVID19 pandemic, there is a lot of information to digest and understand. It can be overwhelming to hear constant updates; it can be difficult to place your TRUST in others. LISTEN as Mark Wilson, Chaplain at Kaweah Health, talks about how the act of trusting can lead to a better outlook on life. #Trust that things will get better, because they eventually will. #HeroesWorkHere #VisaliaStrong #BetterTogether


Gratitude (Kelly Pierce)
LISTEN as Kelly Pierce, Volunteer Coordinator at Kaweah Health, talks about having an attitude of GRATITUDE to help get you through a tough time.


Be Energized by the Power (Jason Backlund)
With only a few days remaining of Spring, let us reflect on how this season is a welcome time for new beginnings and fresh hope—the sun is shining, the days are warmer, trees begin to blossom, and greenery begins to sprout from the soil. LISTEN at Jason Backlund, Chaplain at Kaweah Health, shares a springtime Psalm, inspiring you to LEARN a new rhythm in life, and be ENERGIZED by the power of new growth.


Lean On Each Other For Hope (Kent Mishler)
The last few months have been overwhelming and it may seem like it's nearly impossible to control what will happen next. But, there's one thing you can control: your CHOICE to be HAPPY. LISTEN as Kent Mishler, Director of Kaweah Health's Chaplain Services, reminds you to CHOOSE HAPPINESS.


Humor is Therapy (Chaplain Daniel Boyce)
REALITY—something that many people would like to escape during the #COVID19 pandemic. But, there's always one remedy that never fails: HUMOR. LISTEN as Chaplain Daniel Boyce talks about the importance of maintaining a sense of humor during stressful times and facing reality, while keeping a great sense of humor. #DontForgetToLaugh


Overcoming Anxiety & Fears - The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people in untold ways. LISTEN as Kent Mishler, Director of Kaweah Health's Chaplain Services, talks about overcoming anxiety and fears. Kaweah Health's Chaplain Services team, which is available 24 hours a day to provide holistic, spiritual care to persons of all religious faiths, including those without any religious affiliation, offers this new weekly video series to encourage our community in this time. In coming weeks, look for videos from spiritual care team members representing a number of religious faiths.


Love to Keep You Motivated - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many to lose their MOTIVATION for life and their HOPE. LISTEN as Jason Backlund, Chaplain at Kaweah Health, talks about how you can use #LOVE to keep you motivated and hopeful during these trying times. Kaweah Health's Chaplain Services team, which is available 24 hours a day to provide holistic, spiritual care to persons of all religious faiths, including those without any religious affiliation, offers this new weekly video series to encourage our community in this time. Be sure to come back for more INSPIRATIONAL messages in the upcoming days, provided by our spiritual care team members representing a number of religious faiths.


The Year of Endless Possibilities: The year that, for many, meant that start of something new. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many to lose sight of what their new year's resolution was, their hopes for a new decade, and a great outlook on life. But, the year is not over. We are seeing the best come out of people during these difficult times. LISTEN as John Sayers, on-call Chaplain at Kaweah Health, talks about how #2020 is a year of endless possibilities and that better times await.


National Day of Prayer


Time to Thrive - How are you doing? Sometimes, things don't go as planned and the way we envision life happening can drastically change—sound familiar? #COVID19 has been the driving force for change in the past weeks, but change can be a good thing, too! Let this time of uncertainty also be a time of REFLECTION, a time of HOPE, and a time to THRIVE. #BetterTogether #ValleyStrong



Chaplain Services

Some of the services that chaplains can assist with include the baptism of infants, communion, pre-surgery prayer, contacting the respective pastor, priest, clergy, or to be someone to talk to about spiritual needs. The spiritual care team can be reached through the hospital operator or by calling their office at (559) 624-2263. An on–call chaplain or priest is available for emergencies through the administrative supervisor.
We also have a chapel available for you. This is a place of quiet reflection that is always open for your convenience. The chapel is located on the first floor near Patient Access and the information desk.