Wayne Allen | Community Common

Dr. Jeffrey Miller was introduced on Wednesday as the new chaplain at Southern Ohio Medical Center.

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Wayne Allen

Common Staff Writer

Dr. Jeffrey Miller was introduced on Wednesday as the new chaplain at Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) during a breakfast meting of the volunteer chaplain staff, Wednesday.

Miller said he is originally Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is married to a local pharmacist. Miller said he has resided in the area for the past 12 year.

“I have a Ph.D. in Christian Counseling and Psychology and a doctorate of ministry,” Miller said.

He said prior to becoming the SOMC Chaplain he was a hospice chaplain.

“I love the work, it’s what I went to school for. I love counseling, I love helping people. This is a great opportunity and I am glad to be apart of it,” Miller said.

Miller said his expectations are that, “we provide the best service we possibly can to our community, patients and staff.”

He said in addition to himself there are five volunteer chaplains that serve at SOMC.

“A volunteer team of chaplains is continuing to be developed. That’s why we are having this breakfast today, to show our appreciation for those who have served and for the new ones that are coming on. We just want to continue to grow it, so that we have more coverage,” Miller said. “As a 222 bed facility with over 2200 employees. I can’t do all of this on my own, so we need all the help we can get from the community clergy.”

Miller said SOMC chaplains will make rounds and see patients.

“There are some patients who ask to see a chaplain and others I just go into their room and introduce myself. We provide comfort, care, council and service however we can. That goes for the staff as well. Sometimes the things they see is very hard, we are here to provide council for them as well,” Miller said.

He said there is room for more clergy in the community to be a volunteer chaplain.

“We are asking for any community clergy, preachers or pastors if they would like to put some time in and serve people who are often times at their worst and having a hard time,” Miller said.

He said some training will be provided to those who would want to serve as a volunteer chaplain.

For more information call Miller at 740-356-8377.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-1151, or wallen@communitycommon.com.