“This work is more than just a career; it’s a calling.”
Chaplain Sandra “Sandy” Theunick’s passion, dedication, and lifelong commitment to learning is reflected in her journey to chaplaincy. Born in Michigan, she graduated from Stone Ridge School and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Newton College of the Sacred Heart. She then completed studies in mental health at Georgetown University and earned a master’s degree in divinity from the Washington Theological Union. After a distinguished career in education and leadership, Sandy transitioned to chaplaincy, driven by a deep passion for spiritual support. She pursued training at PHM in Hawai‘i and is now a board-certified chaplain at Denver Health, the only safety net hospital serving the entire Front Range in Colorado.
Sandy’s career in education spanned nearly 50 years, beginning in her late teens and concluding with her retirement at age 70 in 2016. She served as head of five independent schools, including institutions in Seattle, New Jersey, Ohio, New York City, and Honolulu.
Sandy’s introduction to chaplaincy was significantly influenced by her volunteer work with Navian Hawaii, formerly known as Hospice Hawaii, where she met Rev. Clarence Liu, Rev. Anke Flohr, and Rev. Al Miles. “I always thought of chaplaincy as a second career because it was a way to be of service to people in need. It was also one of the few careers where your age doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of difference.”
Her initial attraction to chaplaincy stemmed from encounters with chaplains in the work that she did with religious sisters entering into retirement and hospitalization as well as personal experiences in her family with her parents and her husband. Looking back, she notes how she appreciated the chaplains she encountered for their approachability, practical support, and comforting presence.
“I had a good start 40 years before I went to PHM, thanks to my experiences at Georgetown.” Over the course of three summers, in addition to classes and group dynamics training, she worked in a children’s hospital, a maternity home, and the outpatient psychiatric clinic at Georgetown Medical Center. Since the program was based on the CPE model, it provided valuable lessons that gave her a head start when she began the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
During her CPE program at Queen’s Medical Center, Sandy focused on behavioral health chaplaincy, a role she found deeply fulfilling as she supported patients through times of need. Although she didn’t complete four units of CPE at PHM, her previous training at Georgetown and extensive background allowed her to achieve board certification through the Association of Professional Chaplains. Sandy humorously reflected that she might have been among the oldest to reach this milestone.
Despite the challenges of the certification process, she persevered, noting, “It took me about a year and a half to prepare, but I believe it’s better to take it step by step.” Her dedication paid off as she successfully achieved board certification on her first attempt, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Working at Denver Health, a safety net hospital, presents unique challenges and rewards. “We care for a very diverse patient population. While we are known for our trauma center care, we are more widely known as the hospital that accepts everyone without regard to their ability to pay. Most recently, the influx of thousands of migrants from Central America into Denver has affected us deeply and many of us are in the throes of trying to master Spanish in order to serve them better.”
Sandy sees her job at Denver Health as a true blessing at this point in her life and she loves her particular assignments. During her 20-hour week, she focuses on the pediatric and newborn intensive care units, Labor and Delivery, and Mothers and Babies. On the weekend shifts that all of the chaplains share, they are responsible for ministering to the entire hospital.
Sandy owes a particular debt of gratitude to Anke Flohr, Clarence Liu, and Al Miles who accepted her into the CPE program at a time when others did not see her as “qualified.” “Thank you. It changed my life.” And to those considering a path in chaplaincy, she advises: “Don’t let yourself get in your own way. Avoid being overly focused on yourself, and always check your motives. This work is more than just a career; it’s a calling.”
