UCI News

Hospital chaplains fill role of surrogate family members during times of isolation, depression, death

Orange County Register, July 12, 2020

July 12, 2020

Hospital chaplains fill role of surrogate family members during times of isolation, depression, death

Speaking to a chaplain at a time of hopelessness and uncertainty can be truly comforting, said Paloma Melendez, a 26-year-old artist and animator who is currently hospitalized at UC Irvine Medical Center for an autoimmune disorder. “I asked for a chaplain because I felt like I was going crazy,” she said. “The chaplain was so attentive and so kind. It’s nice to get that element of care during these scary times.”