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Healing, Not Curing: A hospital chaplain’s job is much more than comforting the dying

Chaplain Katharine Howe Toledano, right, talks with Gloria Robinson in her room on the oncology ward of Erlanger Medical Center. Toledano ministers to patients and their families of all faiths during their time at the hospital.
Chaplain Katharine Howe Toledano, right, talks with Gloria Robinson in her room on the oncology ward of Erlanger Medical Center. Toledano ministers to patients and their families of all faiths during their time at the hospital. Chaplain Katharine Howe Toledano, right, talks with Gloria Robinson in her room on the oncology ward of Erlanger Medical Center. Toledano ministers to patients and their families of all faiths during their time at the hospital.

By Shawn Ryan 14 min read

Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

In a darkened hospital room, Katharine Howe Toledano sits in a chair next to the bed. She reaches out and gently cradles the hand of Gloria Robinson.

“Just to see her face, her smile. She cares,” Robinson says. “She lifts you up; she’s there. If it wasn’t for her “

Tears well up in her eyes and she wipes them away with her fingertips.

“Ah, that’s sweet. Thank you. Thank you,” Toledano says, a slight knot in her voice and tears glistening in her eyes, too.