Sick children don’t always like to talk about their illnesses and fears — but sometimes their teddy bears do.

“A lot of times, kids will tell you stories through their toys. That’s an avenue into a conversation with them,” said Susannah Carter, a senior who served as a chaplain intern at UVA Health Children’s Hospital this summer.

Finding ways to engage with young patients was part of Carter’s job. An English and health studies double major interested in an interdisciplinary career that combines healthcare and communication, she credits her advisor, professor Rick Mayes, for suggesting hospital chaplaincy as a possibility, especially given the importance of her Christian faith in her life. 

At the hospital, Carter and five other interns started their day connecting with the staff chaplains in a morning huddle. The on-call chaplain from the previous night would share updates. At UVA Hospital, interfaith chaplains are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Carter then worked on coursework, writing papers and reflections on different pastoral care techniques and spiritual assessment tools. Right before lunch, she’d go to interdisciplinary rounds, a meeting for the entire pediatric care team to discuss patients together. The team included doctors, nurses, social workers, and the chaplains.

“As an intern, it's easy for me to think, `I’m not a professional. I'm just learning,’” she said. “To be recognized by doctors and nurses and other care providers in the hospital as a member of the team and a part of a patient's holistic care is a really wonderful feeling.”

After lunch, patient visits took up most of her afternoon.

When children saw her badge, they usually thought she was a doctor or a nurse. She explained to them what a chaplain is. “I’d tell them, doctors and nurses take care of your body, but I'm here to take care of your heart.” The children often communicated through their toys. “Bear is sad today,” a child might say.

One night, working as the on-call chaplain, she received a request to baptize a very ill baby. She brought with her the chaplaincy’s baptism box, with containers of water, a little bowl, and a cloth with a cross on it. Typically, baptisms are performed by clergy members, but in emergencies, many traditions allow laypeople to carry out the baptism.

“I got to baptize a child on Sunday morning, and that was a really beautiful experience,” Carter said.

Carter realizes that being in a listening profession is what she prefers. She’s currently leaning toward counseling but hasn’t ruled out hospital chaplaincy.

“We see life, we see death, we see trauma, but we see real joys,” she said. “I think I was not expecting to see such a full picture of humanity, but I'm so grateful that I have had the opportunity to.”