GARRETT NUDD
One characteristic of AdventHealth that makes the organization unique in the health care industry is its inclusion of spiritual wellness as part of a holistic approach to patient care . In that regard , the addition of Juleun Johnson , D . Min ., as vice president of mission and ministry of the AdventHealth Southeast Region was an exciting enhancement to the leadership team .
Based at AdventHealth Redmond , Johnson has been tasked with overseeing the chaplains serving at that facility as well as AdventHealth Gordon , AdventHealth Murray , AdventHealth Manchester ( Kentucky ) and AdventHealth Hendersonville ( North Carolina ).
Chaplains ensure that each patient is cared for not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually . They offer patients empathy and encouragement and , at times , provide care and support in crises .
“ They play a vital role in treating patients because they help reduce recidivism rates ,” Johnson explained . “ They raise the awareness of medical issues from a psychosocial perspective while also getting to bottom-line health needs . For example , a patient may not be responding well to treatment , but then we may find out it ’ s because they don ’ t have someone at home to assist them with their recovery .”
Johnson ’ s role also includes helping to connect the Southeast Region hospitals with local churches and other outreach initiatives in their respective communities . He emphasized his goal of elevating the profile of AdventHealth by partnering with groups that share the same vision .
“ I ’ d like to see more opportunities for development and wholeness within the community ,” he said . “ We ’ d like to connect more deeply with schools and other key stakeholders . We ’ re looking for partnerships in which the community feels that the hospital belongs to them . It ’ s a place where churches and other life-interest groups can have
40 | ADVENTHEALTH . COM | SUMMER 2022