By Shea Wright 

In moments of crisis, loss, and transition, the presence of a compassionate listener can provide immeasurable comfort.  

At VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital (CMH), that listener is Rev. Marvis Stewart.  

Much like the medical staff in scrubs, Stewart is often found going on rounds to check up on people through the hospital, providing comfort to patients, family members, and even team members.  

Whether individuals seek religious, spiritual, or emotional support, the hospital’s new chaplain ensures pastoral care is available to all ages.  

For the communities served by CMH, it is not uncommon for families to experience the loss of a parent or caregiver due to sudden or prolonged illness, leading to significant emotional distress and difficulties for the youngest family members. According to the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM), an estimated 1 out of 14 children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling before turning 18 years old. 

Stewart knows first-hand how loneliness is often a symptom of grief, having lost his father at a young age. Unprocessed grief, he said, had a profound impact during his adolescence.  

“I came from a small rural town in South Carolina,” he said. “I had to ask for help with my own bereavement journey, and I know that without being poured into intellectually and with that support I had, I wouldn’t be who I am today.” 

Now, he seeks to offer the same support he valued as a child to the youngest people in CMH’s footprint, helping to guide them through their healing journey. 

I don’t want anyone to feel excluded from spiritual services. My desire is to meet patients, families, and staff where they are and help them enhance their journey. That means, sometimes, as a chaplain, I have to sit in your hurt and pain to begin to build that relationship and start the healing process. 

Rev. Marvis Stewart, VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital Chaplin 

To meet individuals in the community where they are, Stewart holds a support group for patients and families on the fourth Thursday of every month at the VCU Health Hendrick Center Medical Oncology waiting room.  
 
“Healing is a process, and you must embrace the process, no matter how long it takes,” Stewart said.   

But bereavement services at CMH aren’t just for patients and their families. Earlier this year, Stewart launched the CMH Bereavement Support Group, a weekly emotional support group open to patients, families, hospital staff, and the broader South Hill Community. The group aims to provide a safe space to process loss and find solace in shared experiences. The group meets the second Tuesday of every month in the C.A.R.E. Building. 

New to the CMH team, Stewart continues to build connections with clergy, funeral homes, and support organizations to allow for a seamless network of care that extends well beyond the hospital setting. Fostering these partnerships, he hopes, will strengthen CMH’s spiritual care program. 

“I don’t want anyone to feel excluded from spiritual services,” Stewart said. “My desire is to meet patients, families, and staff where they are and help them enhance their journey. That means, sometimes, as a chaplain, I have to sit in your hurt and pain to begin to build that relationship and start the healing process.” 

Seeking uncommon compassion in health care settings 

Supporting patients, family and staff with empathy is at the very heart of VCU Health Spiritual Care. Whether it’s enhancing a patient’s sense of dignity, helping caregivers navigate complex medical situations with clarity and reassurance, or fostering a sense of support and value for hospital staff — compassion remains essential to every aspect of the health care experience. 

“Compassion is the golden thread in the tapestry of person-centered well-being,” said Rev. Marilyn Barnes, MS, MA, MPH, BCC, director of VCU Health Spiritual Care. 

Across the health system, chaplains are provided with extensive training to provide healing to patients, families, and team members. Through their clinical practice, chaplains consistently look for ways to provide a sense of security as they partner with medical professionals in aligning a patient’s care with their values, asking guided questions about values and faith, and discussing coping strategies.  

“Our chaplains pay attention to detail as they lessen someone’s feelings of anxiety through active listening (both verbal and nonverbal), exploring religious and spiritual beliefs, storytelling, and incorporating cultural and religious values into a patient’s plan of care,” Barnes said.  

‘Self-care is not selfish – it’s necessary’ 

Providing emotional and spiritual care to others requires immense strength, and Stewart understands the importance of maintaining his own well-being.  

“In order to pour into others, I have to make sure my own cup is full,” he said. His self-care routine includes prayer, reflection, and time spent with loved ones. He also finds support through mentorship and connections with fellow clergy members. 

VCU Health Spiritual Care also prioritizes well-being and resilience through the offering of proactive spiritual care interventions.  

Compassion is the golden thread in the tapestry of person-centered well-being.  

Rev. Marilyn Barnes, director of VCU Health Spiritual Care 

“Within the department we focus on building a culture of support and recognition with regular check-ins and at times serving as the chaplain’s chaplain,” Barnes said.  

Acknowledging the weight of grief and trauma, Stewart emphasizes that chaplains, like health care providers, must take intentional steps to manage emotional fatigue. 

 “Self-care is not selfish — it’s necessary,” he said. 

Already off to a running start, Stewart is committed to transforming spiritual care at CMH. His work ensures that no one walks through grief alone, providing a guiding light for patients, families, and staff in their most vulnerable moments. 

“Grief affects everyone differently,” he said. “Without support, it can weigh heavily on those who experience a lifelong loss.” 

Learn more about VCU Health Spiritual Care and other support services

Inspired by Rev. Marvis Stewart’s story? Read more about our team members