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Hospital Chaplain Attends To Patients' Spiritual Pain

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By SARAH ROTHWELL

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

TAMPA - TAMPA - Bishop Bruce Wright is a source of hope and comfort to patients at University Community Hospital.

As the hospital's chaplain, he shares in the celebration of births and grieves with families when a patient is lost. He counsels the terminally ill and consoles the injured. Wright, 56, spends countless hours attending to the spiritual needs of men, women and children at UCH, UCH-Carrollwood, Pepin Heart Hospital and Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital.

"He's an inspiration," said Maria Delgado of New Port Richey, manager of cancer services at UCH. "We all love Bishop Wright. He's always willing to listen. He's there for the patients and for the staff."

Wright, a consecrated Anglican bishop, began his work at UCH in 2000, when a brief volunteer stint inspired him to take on a full-time job at the hospital. In 2005, he helped start the hospital's Palliative Care Program. The program, lead by Wright, physician Chad Farmer and registered nurse Alan Shukman, offers comforting care to terminally ill patients, their families and caregivers.

The palliative care team consists of 18 hospital staff members from 15 disciplines, including oncology, nursing and case management. Wright heads the Spiritual Care Department, which is one facet of the program.

"When a patient is terminal, the focus shifts from trying to cure the patient to trying to make them as comfortable as possible," Wright said.

Wright visits 15 to 20 patients a day, within and outside the Palliative Care Program, stopping in the emergency room, the intensive care unit and on the oncology floor.

On June 11, he visited Kenneth Parks of Temple Terrace, a nonterminal patient recovering from surgery to remove part of his colon. Wright prayed with Parks' family. He asked God to watch over the patient and give him strength.

"It's always helpful to pray," said Parks' wife, Cathy. "It's nice to be with someone like the bishop, who is empathetic, sympathetic and caring."
Clinical professionals also appreciate Wright's ability to help ease patient suffering.

"When a patient is in pain, I can give them medicine, but I can't fix their spiritual pain," said Farmer, a resident of South Tampa. "I need help. That is why Bishop Wright is so important. He addresses the issues I can't."

Wright caters to patients' personal spiritual needs. He doesn't push a specific religious philosophy. If needed, he will simply sit and listen.

Wright oversees four chaplains, including his son, Jonathan Wright, 32, of Plant City. In addition, he invites visiting members of the clergy and spiritual leaders of all faiths to visit patients.

"People of different faiths have very specific and different ways of dealing with health care," said emergency room assistant Phyllis Hoover of Carrollwood. "Bishop Wright is great with people because he is open-minded and respects everyone."

Wright has a simple philosophy when visiting people who are losing a loved one.

"I believe in the three H's: hug, hush and hang around," he said.

Pat Black, a Church of Christ minister from Wesley Chapel, considers Wright a spiritual mentor.

"Bishop Wright is like my older brother," Black, 67, said with a laugh. "We talk a lot and we work well together. He does a great job here."

Suzy O'Neill, a registered nurse from Plant City, also works closely with Wright. She is one of 130 nurses he trained to assist with spiritual care. She considers the role a privilege.

"It's important to provide spiritual support to patients," she said.

Wright aspires to make people feel at ease. He talks to patients about their interests, tells tasteful jokes and welcomes people into his office with a smile.

"Whenever I need advice or just to get away, I go to his office," O'Neill said. "First and foremost, he is my friend."

When Wright isn't at the hospital, he spends time at home with his wife in Plant City. He has three children and five grandchildren. He likes gardening and taking care of two pet goats.

Wright also works at LifeSpring Community Church in Forest Hills, where Jonathan Wright is the senior pastor. As bishop, the elder Wright oversees the church and speaks biweekly at Sunday services. He is happy to work with his son, and the feeling is mutual. At the hospital, they sometimes visit patients together.

"My father always taught my sisters and I to put others' needs above our own, to listen to people in need and spread the message of hope," Jonathan Wright said. "That's why he does so well at the hospital, because he listens. He is a gentle, kind and considerate man."

Sarah Rothwell can be reached at srothwell@tampatrib.com or (813) 865-4845.

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