As part of our commitment to meet the spiritual, as well as the physical needs of those we serve, Phoebe is proud to welcome Dr. Darren Maracin as our Corporate Director of Chaplaincy.  Maracin holds a Doctorate of Ministry degree in Pastoral Ministry, and he is a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Certified Christian Chaplains and the Spiritual Care Association.  “I am excited to be at Phoebe to develop and maintain an environment of healing that addresses the spiritual, emotional, behavioral, and relationship dynamics of our patients, families, and visitors,” Maracin said.
 
In addition to serving as a pastor at several churches, Maracin was commissioned a Captain in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in 2011.  Maj. Maracin is a decorated combat veteran, having served as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and he remains an active Army Reservist, currently serving as the Command Chaplain with the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA.
 
Maracin will oversee a group of 30 volunteer chaplains as well as a fulltime staff in the Chaplaincy Department.  He is committed to working with the entire Phoebe Family through cutting edge training and best practices in support of dynamic spiritual care and excellence in chaplaincy services throughout the health system.  “Medicine is both an art and a science. I believe that chaplains have much to bring to the inter-disciplinary care team surrounding patient care,” Maracin said.  “We support, encourage, listen and empower clinicians in the art of communicating, pro-active listening and navigating purposeful and meaningful conversation about treatment plans and end-of-life care to the patient and family, particularly where ethical dilemmas may be presented.”
 
Maracin also recognizes the importance of spiritual care for Phoebe employees.  “Patient and family care support is a key priority for the chaplain; however, I believe it is equally important to support the hospital staff and clinicians through one-on-one support, bereavement response of critical care, a traumatic event debrief, or general counsel on personal life issues and stress management. A hospital staff that is truly cared for will translate into more compassionate care for the patient,” he said.
 
Maracin and his wife Abigail have five children who range in age from 18 to 24.  He previously lived in Georgia for seven years, including three in Colquitt where his father-in-law practiced medicine as a respected surgeon.  “Being on board with the Phoebe Family is a homecoming.  It seems like such a natural fit,” Maracin said.  “My heart is to have a department that delivers the best possible chaplaincy care.”
 
Those in need of chaplaincy services can reach the department at 312-4671.