Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Il Sun Teresa Ko-Davis

Delmar

Summary

Seasoned chaplain, adept in providing emotional support and spiritual care. Excelled in ministry development, showcasing strong active listening and relationship-building skills. Enhanced patient and staff well-being through effective grief support and interfaith ministry, contributing to a holistic care approach.

Compassionate spiritual care provider with extensive experience in offering emotional support and guidance. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving meaningful outcomes. Skilled in crisis intervention, counseling, and interfaith services. Reliable and adaptable to changing needs, ensuring holistic care and support for diverse communities.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Volunteer Chaplain

Albany Medical Center Hospital
02.2024 - Current
  • Provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and direct care to residents, family members and staff.
  • Met with individuals, discussed issues compassionately and determined appropriate type of involvement to meet spiritual needs.
  • Developed relationships with patients and families, resulting in increased trust and rapport during difficult times.
  • Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
  • Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
  • Provided compassionate pastoral care in emergency departments, addressing the spiritual needs of patients experiencing acute distress or trauma.
  • Conducted crisis intervention sessions with individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, providing comfort and support during critical times.
  • Delivered comforting presence during end-of-life situations, offering prayers and rituals to honor the patient''s beliefs and values.

Resident Chaplain

The Methodist Hospital
08.2022 - 05.2023
  • Participated in staff training sessions to continually enhance knowledge and skills in resident care practices.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care strategies for residents.
  • Met with individuals, discussed issues compassionately and determined appropriate type of involvement to meet spiritual needs.
  • Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
  • Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
  • Provided compassionate pastoral care in emergency departments, addressing the spiritual needs of patients experiencing acute distress or trauma.
  • Conducted crisis intervention sessions with individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, providing comfort and support during critical times.
  • Delivered comforting presence during end-of-life situations, offering prayers and rituals to honor the patient''s beliefs and values.
  • Evaluated effectiveness of pastoral care initiatives through regular feedback from staff members, adjusting strategies as needed for optimal results.
  • Served as a trusted resource on religious traditions, customs, practices across various faiths within the hospital setting.
  • Guided individuals through end-of-life decision making, offering comfort and clarity during difficult times.
  • Facilitated stress reduction workshops for staff, improving workplace well-being and productivity.
  • Collaborated with healthcare teams to ensure holistic care, addressing patients' spiritual needs alongside their medical treatment.
  • Offered spiritual guidance to individuals facing life challenges, contributing to their personal growth and resilience.
  • Tailored spiritual support to individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity and respect for all beliefs.
  • Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons.

Hospice Chaplain

Atlantic Hospice
11.2019 - 06.2020
  • Served as a resource for staff members seeking guidance or support in relation to their own spiritual well-being, promoting self-care within the workplace.
  • Completed detailed assessments of each patient''s spiritual needs, allowing for tailored support throughout their hospice journey.
  • Supplied spiritual care for diverse religious needs of patients, family and staff such as grief and bereavement support.
  • Facilitated referrals to variety of educational and support groups, individual counseling and crisis response resources for bereaved families.
  • Served as a liaison between the hospice center and local religious communities, fostering relationships that enriched patient care experiences.
  • Maintained accurate documentation of patient interactions, ensuring continuity of care across interdisciplinary team members.
  • Facilitated family meetings to discuss end-of-life care options, ensuring thorough understanding and agreement among all parties involved.
  • Provided pastoral counseling to families coping with terminal illness, offering guidance and resources for navigating difficult decisions.
  • Enhanced patient comfort by providing spiritual and emotional support in their final stages of life.
  • Resolved crisis and emotional issues through empathy, support, prayer and scripture.
  • Developed educational materials on grief management for use by hospice staff, volunteers, and community organizations.
  • Established trusting relationships with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds by demonstrating respect for their individual beliefs and traditions.
  • Conducted religious sacraments for sick patients and family members.
  • Responded to code blues and other emergencies to verify patient identity and engage and support family.
  • Contributed to continuous improvement efforts at the hospice by providing feedback on patient care services and participating in quality assurance initiatives.
  • Led regular group sessions exploring topics related to spirituality, personal growth, and coping mechanisms relevant to those experiencing loss or caregiving challenges.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for hospice patients.
  • Counseled and provided care to patients with life-threatening illnesses to help families respond effectively to approaching death of loved one.
  • Visited and counseled patients, families, and staff concerning death and dying by providing direct spiritual care.
  • Offered bereavement support to surviving loved ones following a patient''s passing, facilitating healing during a delicate time frame.
  • Communicated with interdisciplinary healthcare team to obtain pertinent information regarding patient's condition, family dynamics, and health care teams' understanding of need for spiritual care.
  • Managed crisis interventions within the hospice setting by providing immediate emotional support during critical incidents or emergencies involving patients or staff members.
  • Provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and direct care to residents, family members and staff.
  • Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
  • Met with individuals, discussed issues compassionately and determined appropriate type of involvement to meet spiritual needs.
  • Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
  • Interacted with local community, building relationships with civic organizations and other churches.

VA Clinical Palliative Care/Hospice Chaplain

VA Medical Center of Philadelphia
10.2009 - 08.2011
  • Maintained accurate documentation of patient interactions, ensuring continuity of care across interdisciplinary team members.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within chaplaincy and end-of-life care services.
  • Served as a liaison between the hospice center and local religious communities, fostering relationships that enriched patient care experiences.
  • Supplied spiritual care for diverse religious needs of patients, family and staff such as grief and bereavement support.
  • Communicated with interdisciplinary healthcare team to obtain pertinent information regarding patient's condition, family dynamics, and health care teams' understanding of need for spiritual care.
  • Responded to code blues and other emergencies to verify patient identity and engage and support family.
  • Organized community outreach events aimed at raising awareness about hospice care and fostering connections with local religious organizations.
  • Facilitated family meetings to discuss end-of-life care options, ensuring thorough understanding and agreement among all parties involved.
  • Conducted memorial services for patients who passed away, honoring their memory and supporting loved ones through the grieving process.
  • Contributed to continuous improvement efforts at the hospice by providing feedback on patient care services and participating in quality assurance initiatives.
  • Led regular group sessions exploring topics related to spirituality, personal growth, and coping mechanisms relevant to those experiencing loss or caregiving challenges.
  • Established trusting relationships with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds by demonstrating respect for their individual beliefs and traditions.
  • Conducted religious sacraments for sick patients and family members.
  • Provided pastoral counseling to families coping with terminal illness, offering guidance and resources for navigating difficult decisions.
  • Resolved crisis and emotional issues through empathy, support, prayer and scripture.
  • Visited and counseled patients, families, and staff concerning death and dying by providing direct spiritual care.
  • Completed detailed assessments of each patient''s spiritual needs, allowing for tailored support throughout their hospice journey.
  • Facilitated referrals to variety of educational and support groups, individual counseling and crisis response resources for bereaved families.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans for hospice patients.
  • Managed crisis interventions within the hospice setting by providing immediate emotional support during critical incidents or emergencies involving patients or staff members.
  • Recruited community chaplains, spiritual counselors and spiritual care volunteers to adequately meet patient, family and caregiver needs.
  • Enhanced patient comfort by providing spiritual and emotional support in their final stages of life.
  • Served as a resource for staff members seeking guidance or support in relation to their own spiritual well-being, promoting self-care within the workplace.
  • Provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and direct care to residents, family members and staff.
  • Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
  • Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
  • Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
  • Interacted with local community, building relationships with civic organizations and other churches.

CPE Student Supervisor

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
08.2005 - 07.2006
  • Mentored new student supervisors, sharing best practices and providing guidance for success in the role.
  • Facilitated a positive learning environment by proactively addressing conflicts and fostering open communication among students.
  • Developed strong relationships with students, promoting trust and open dialogue about their needs and concerns.
  • Boosted student performance by providing individualized attention and feedback on assignments.
  • Managed day-to-day operations of the supervised area, maintaining a safe and efficient workspace for students to thrive in academically.
  • Established clear expectations for behavior within supervised spaces leading to an increase in quality interactions amongst peers.
  • Assisted with the development of program goals and objectives, aligning them with broader institutional priorities.
  • Leveraged data from student feedback to identify areas of improvement for the supervision program and implemented targeted solutions.
  • Evaluated programs and monitored implementation and compliance with regulations to achieve objectives.

Resident Chaplain Level II

The Methodist Hospital
08.2002 - 05.2003
  • Participated in staff training sessions to continually enhance knowledge and skills in resident care practices.
  • Participated in [Number] assigned educational conferences, rotations, period testing and advisor meetings.
  • Performed rounds daily to discuss patient care plans, review and to communicate with patients and their significant others.
  • Participated in continuing education and professional development to enhance expertise and skills.
  • Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
  • Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
  • Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
  • Developed relationships with patients and families, resulting in increased trust and rapport during difficult times.
  • Provided compassionate pastoral care in emergency departments, addressing the spiritual needs of patients experiencing acute distress or trauma.
  • Provided spiritual guidance to patients and staff members by conducting regular counseling sessions.
  • Officiated special services such as hospital worship services.
  • Evaluated effectiveness of pastoral care initiatives through regular feedback from staff members, adjusting strategies as needed for optimal results.
  • Served as a trusted resource on religious traditions, customs, practices across various faiths within the hospital setting.
  • Offered spiritual guidance to individuals facing life challenges, contributing to their personal growth and resilience.
  • Facilitated stress reduction workshops for staff, improving workplace well-being and productivity.
  • Tailored spiritual support to individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity and respect for all beliefs.
  • Conducted crisis intervention sessions with individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, providing comfort and support during critical times.

Resident Chaplain Level 1

MD Anderson Cancer Center
11.2001 - 07.2002
  • Participated in staff training sessions to continually enhance knowledge and skills in resident care practices.
  • Participated in [Number] assigned educational conferences, rotations and advisor meetings.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive patient care.
  • Collaborated with care team to develop assessment and treatment plans.
  • Utilized effective communication skills when interacting with diverse populations, including patients with varying cognitive abilities.
  • Performed rounds daily to discuss patient care plans, review and to communicate with patients and their significant others.
  • Provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and direct care to residents, family members and staff.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for holistic patient care, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
  • Met with individuals, discussed issues compassionately and determined appropriate type of involvement to meet spiritual needs.
  • Developed relationships with patients and families, resulting in increased trust and rapport during difficult times.
  • Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
  • Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
  • Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
  • Provided compassionate pastoral care in emergency departments, addressing the spiritual needs of patients experiencing acute distress or trauma.
  • Conducted crisis intervention sessions with individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, providing comfort and support during critical times.
  • Delivered comforting presence during end-of-life situations, offering prayers and rituals to honor the patient''s beliefs and values.
  • Evaluated effectiveness of pastoral care initiatives through regular feedback from staff members, adjusting strategies as needed for optimal results.

US Army Military Police Battalion Chaplain

US Military Army
08.1999 - 11.2001

Preached, organized religious services and administered sacrament of Eucharist and baptism. Served as 24 hour/On-Call Chaplain on the Fort Polk Military installation (over 9,000 soldiers and their families). Administered marriage ceremony and funeral services. Provided retreats, marriage-family/suicide prevention/stress reduction seminars, pastoral and emotional support to people of diverse faiths, atheists and agnostics in a pluralistic setting. Provided crisis, marital, family, spiritual, and grief counseling. Assessed the spiritual and religious needs of over 2,000 soldiers and came up with a plan of actions to meet their spiritual needs.


Education

Doctor of Ministry - Lutheran Theology & Spirituality

United Lutheran Theological Seminary
Philadelphia
05-2014

Master of Arts - Theology And Arts

Drew Theological Seminary
Madison, NJ
05-2014

Masters of Divinity M.Div - Theology And Arts

Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton, NJ
05-2014

Skills

  • Proficient in Providing Emotional Support
  • Spiritual care
  • Ministry development
  • Records management
  • Grief support
  • Pastoral care
  • Spiritual guidance
  • Stress management assistance
  • Interfaith ministry
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Community service
  • Preaching
  • Active listening
  • Relationship building
  • Teaching
  • Event planning
  • Community outreach

Affiliations

  • American Red Cross Disaster Spiritual Care Associate

Certification

  • American Red Cross Disaster Spiritual Care (2025)
  • Board Certified Chaplain -Association for Professional Chaplain (2004-2006)
  • VA Basis Sustainment Chaplain Training certification (2011)
  • Ordination as a priest by Charismatic Old Catholic Church (2023)
  • Contemplative Prayer Outreach Presenter at the Contemplative Outreach, LTD- NJ (2018- Present)
  • Spiritual Director, Cenacle Spiritual Direction Institute, Houston, TX (certified 2003-2005)
  • New York Driver's License
  • First Aid Certification
  • CPR/AED Certification

Languages

Korean
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Volunteer Chaplain

Albany Medical Center Hospital
02.2024 - Current

Resident Chaplain

The Methodist Hospital
08.2022 - 05.2023

Hospice Chaplain

Atlantic Hospice
11.2019 - 06.2020

VA Clinical Palliative Care/Hospice Chaplain

VA Medical Center of Philadelphia
10.2009 - 08.2011

CPE Student Supervisor

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
08.2005 - 07.2006

Resident Chaplain Level II

The Methodist Hospital
08.2002 - 05.2003

Resident Chaplain Level 1

MD Anderson Cancer Center
11.2001 - 07.2002

US Army Military Police Battalion Chaplain

US Military Army
08.1999 - 11.2001

Doctor of Ministry - Lutheran Theology & Spirituality

United Lutheran Theological Seminary

Master of Arts - Theology And Arts

Drew Theological Seminary

Masters of Divinity M.Div - Theology And Arts

Princeton Theological Seminary
Il Sun Teresa Ko-Davis