Emily Burchnell
Walled Lake,MI
Summary
CPE-trained chaplain with four units of clinical training and a strong foundation in non-profit leadership, youth ministry, and elder care. Expertise in providing inclusive and culturally sensitive spiritual care to patients, families, and healthcare staff. Committed to a holistic health approach that respects diverse faiths and life stages, particularly within hospital settings for both adults and children, as well as in hospice environments. Passionate about fostering compassion and support during critical moments of life.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Bereavement & Volunteer Dual-Program Coordinator
Assured Hospice
Southfield
11.2025 - Current
- Led a comprehensive 13-month bereavement program, ensuring full compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation and federal QAPI standards through meticulous metric tracking and reporting.
- Partnered with the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) to integrate psychosocial and bereavement needs into holistic care plans, facilitating grief support groups and memorial services.
- Recruited, trained, and supervised a volunteer team, optimizing placements for patient companionship and administrative support to enhance service delivery.
- Streamlined hospice operations and daily administrative processes by developing project plans and time-saving solutions that improved overall program efficiency.
- Increased stakeholder engagement and project visibility through regular status updates, effective communication of program goals, and the establishment of key community partnerships.
- Conducted comprehensive program evaluations and analyzed patient feedback to identify obstacles and implement actionable solutions for service enhancement.
- Served as a primary liaison to higher management, providing detailed reporting on program obstacles, possible impacts, and strategic recommendations to improve customer satisfaction.
Chaplain Resident
Corewell Health Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids
09.2024 - 09.2025
- Provided comprehensive spiritual and bereavement care to a diverse patient load ranging from 10 to 35 individuals daily, including dedicated support for five long-term patients and rapid response to high-pressure clinical emergencies.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to integrate spiritual assessments into holistic care plans while maintaining meticulous documentation for all patients and families.
- Organized quarterly bereavement services for staff and facilitated religious memorials to provide solace and honor the legacy of deceased patients.
- Utilized CISM certification to lead crisis interventions and critical incident stress management, applying expert knowledge to stabilize emergency situations for families and clinical teams.
- Established effective rapport through empathy and cultural sensitivity, conducting individual and group counseling sessions to address complex emotional and spiritual needs.
- Championed staff mental health by launching "Tea for the Soul" events, successfully scaling participation from 10 to over 30 employees to improve workplace wellness and department efficiency.
Chaplain Intern
Pine Rest Christian Health Services
Grand Rapids
05.2024 - 08.2024
- Offered individual pastoral counseling and spiritual support within a mental health framework.
- Developed and led educational/spiritual programming tailored to patient needs both with Adult and Children classes with sizes ranging from 1-25 patients.
- Responded to emergencies on assigned units, ensuring a calm and supportive presence.
- Conducted individual and group counseling sessions to promote emotional healing.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address patient needs effectively.
- Engaged in reflective practice to improve personal spiritual competencies and insights.
- Assisted individuals in crisis by providing compassionate emotional and spiritual support.
- Enhanced patient well-being by conducting regular visits and offering emotional support during difficult times.
- Enhanced the spiritual well-being of patients by providing tailored pastoral care, demonstrating respect for diverse beliefs and traditions.
- Kept supervisor informed of daily activities and issues.
- Developed personalized care plans for clients, addressing their unique spiritual needs and concerns.
- Empowered patients by encouraging self-expression through creative outlets such as journaling or art therapy.
- Assessed spiritual needs and concerns of patients through direct communication or information obtained by other personnel.
- Promoted a positive environment through the organization of spiritual events and activities for diverse groups.
Sales Associate II
The Bridge
Holland
08.2022 - 05.2024
- Enhanced brand visibility and customer engagement by managing social media platforms and the company website, resulting in a 15% increase in digital engagement.
- Spearheaded a monthly newsletter and targeted outreach strategies that successfully grew the loyalty point customer base by 25%.
- Coordinated sales promotions, events, and visually appealing product displays to drive store traffic and optimize overall sales volume.
- Executed daily operations including monetary transactions, shipping and receiving, and proactive inventory management to ensure consistent product availability.
- Built strong customer rapport through energetic service and product demonstrations, utilizing in-store systems to resolve inquiries and fulfill special orders.
- Maintained a secure and inviting store environment by adhering to safety standards, monitoring for security concerns, and ensuring organizational cleanliness.
Education
Masters of Divinity - Chaplaincy
Western Theological Seminary
Holland, MI01.2024
Bachelor of Business Marketing - Marketing
California State University
Fresno, CA01.2018
Associates of Liberal Arts - General Education
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI01.2012
Skills
- Interdisciplinary Team (IDT/IDG)
- Grief Support Group Facilitation
- End-of-Life Planning
- Community Resource Management
- Program Development
- Volunteer Management
- Operational Efficiency
- Support & Outreach
Certification
- Critical Incident Stress Management, 2024 - no expiration
- Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, i026A5J4, 01/24/28
Timeline
Bereavement & Volunteer Dual-Program Coordinator
Assured Hospice
11.2025 - Current
Chaplain Resident
Corewell Health Grand Rapids
09.2024 - 09.2025
Chaplain Intern
Pine Rest Christian Health Services
05.2024 - 08.2024
Sales Associate II
The Bridge
08.2022 - 05.2024
Masters of Divinity - Chaplaincy
Western Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Business Marketing - Marketing
California State University
Associates of Liberal Arts - General Education
Oakland Community College