HealthCare Chaplaincy Network names 10 patient care honorees

HealthCare Chaplaincy Network recognized 10 Patient Care Honorees at its Wholeness of Life Gala in New York City on Thursday. The annual awards spotlight clinicians and spiritual care providers across seven states and support the organization’s mission to expand spiritual care in health care.

Why it matters: - The honorees reflect how spiritual care is delivered across health care settings, not just by chaplains. - HCCN uses the gala to raise awareness and funding for its work to integrate spiritual care into clinical practice, research and education. - The organization says that mission helps improve patient experience and patient satisfaction while supporting people facing illness and grief.

What happened: - HealthCare Chaplaincy Network named its 2026 Patient Care Honorees at the Wholeness of Life Gala on Thursday at Il Cortile in New York City. - The gala recognized people who provide spiritual care and comfort to patients and families. - The 10 honorees came from seven U.S. states.

The details: - HCCN said the honorees came from multiple roles, including social workers, therapists, doctors, nurses and chaplains. - The honorees are Alyssa Mundt of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System in Sarasota, Florida. - The honorees include Kalyn Tinsley of Henry Ford Health in Detroit. - The honorees include Chaplain Marilyn Davis-Okubudike of ECU Health Inpatient Hospice in Greenville, North Carolina. - The honorees include Chaplain Jenny Byxbee of Greenwich Chaplaincy Services and Second Congregational Church in Greenwich, Connecticut. - The honorees include Chaplain Shirley Dash of Providence Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. - The honorees include Chaplain Javier Casas of Phoenix Children's Hospital in Phoenix. - The honorees include Dr. Khalid Shirif of Anthem Hospice in Mesa, Arizona. - The honorees include Chaplain Jason Cooper, lead national spiritual services at Vitas Health Care in Miramar, Florida. - The honorees include Rabbi Lior Nevo, director of clinical pastoral education at Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston. - The honorees include Chaplain Issa Kabeer, chaplain/teacher at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania and Achieve Academy in Philadelphia. - HCCN said the call for nominees drew an overwhelming response. - The honorees are listed on the Wholeness of Life Gala site.

Between the lines: - The honorees span both faith-based and clinical roles, which underscores HCCN's view that spiritual care can come from many parts of the care team. - Rev. Eric J. Hall, CEO of HCCN and the Spiritual Care Association, said the annual recognition highlights people who make a difference every day or throughout a lifetime in compassionate spiritual care. - The gala is also HCCN’s largest source of awareness-raising and revenue-raising, making the event central to the organization’s operations.

What's next: - HCCN will continue using the Wholeness of Life Gala to sustain its ministry and support future programming. - Donations can be made through the organization’s donation page. - HCCN also directs supporters to its social channels, including Facebook and X.