One brick at a time. That’s how you build.

JB Chapman is all about building. And not just building his treasured Lego sets, of which he has hundreds to help him cope with the stresses of the emotions he’s exposed to on a daily basis. He’s building people while building the chaplaincy program at Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas. The first official staff chaplain of the Gallatin hospital, JB stepped into the position just two months ago on September 11t. His energy and heart leaving an imprint that’s sure to deepen. “Just call me Chapman the Chaplain,” he says a twinkle of a smile teasing his eyes and the hint of a Minnesota accent escaping his mouth.

JB’s background includes serving as a pastor and director of a non-profit back in the early 2000’s while he and his wife lived in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. His appreciation for medical chaplaincy began during those years when he was asked to support the local police department. “Through that opportunity I recognized I needed more education,” says JB. “I wanted to learn more, so I did an internship at a local hospital, and I just loved it.”

Moving to Nashville, JB stepped into a year-long residency at Ascension Saint Thomas West in 2023. Ascension soon recruited him to step in at Highpoint Health - Sumner as the staff chaplain, overseeing the Riverview and Trousdale campuses as well.

Shortly after the hospital’s lighting ceremony—commemorating the Lifepoint Health and Ascension Saint Thomas relationship transforming what was once Sumner Regional Medical Center into Highpoint Health -- Sumner, JB set up his office. Across from it sits a quaint chapel room. Open for patients, family, and staff, the room shimmers with golden flecks tinged blue and purple from its lone stained-glass window. It’s a visual reminder of the often-unseen work JB and his volunteer team accomplish daily.

“We always come back to this concept of holistic care, trying to bring healing to the body while recognizing your mind, body and spirit are all tied together,” says JB. “If something is wrong with your foot, there’s a loss of independence.” That creates grief for a patient, for example, that adds a layer of hidden pain. “Grief comes in so many ways. We are interested in those processes and being there for the patient while they are here. We want to be sure and honor people as a whole.” Spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Lori Johnson, Director of Physician Recruitment and Business Development as well as the hospital’s non-profit volunteer program, recounts that in years prior the chaplain services were solely conducted through volunteer manpower. Local pastors were on call to step in and address spiritual needs as they arose.

“During Covid, for example, our volunteer chaplains absolutely stood up and were available for family and staff,” she adds, “You know a lot of people left health care during those years. It was tough.”

While volunteers remain crucial partners in the chaplaincy program, Lori says “It’s great to have (JB) here all the time, coordinating all those needs.”

Highpoint’s Chaplaincy supports the invisible dimensions of healing. “All people are spiritual,” says JB, “Not all people are religious. The fastest growing denomination are those that don’t claim any religion. They still have needs. They still desire spiritual care.”

While Ascension is a Catholic organization, the chaplaincy program does not focus on any one religious affiliation or denomination. The role of the chaplain is to help people of any faith, or no faith heal holistically.

Hospital chaplains undergo hours of clinical and classroom education to equip them for the unique situations and scenarios presented in a medical facility. JB has undergone 1,600 hours bedside plus 400 hours of classroom education during his residency.

Now working on completing his board certification, he will finish his education with 3,200 clinical hours and 800 education hours over a two-year time span. “As a chaplain we’re professionally trained clinicians that do evidence-based assessments and come up with a plan of care for the patient—while they are at the hospital,” JB says.

Much like building a Lego set, each patient conversation happens one layer at a time. JB asks questions to uncover the patient’s spiritual and emotional needs. “We are a non-judgmental group, pretty empathetic who try to help people where they are at, help people understand how they can help themselves,” he says.

JB’s program isn’t restricted to patients. Everyone who walks the hospital’s halls falls under his care. “Primarily we are here for patients but there’s a good portion of my time devoted to staff. As you care for the staff it helps them better care for the patients. You recognize how interconnected everything is.”

Like the click of a Lego brick snapping in place, the satisfaction of growing the chaplaincy program practically buzzes around JB. Excited about 2025, he recounts plans set in motion. Yet, a sign by his office door reveals the step by step process he is committed to: S ( ) R. “That stands for stimuli, pause, response,” he says, “Remember to pause before you respond to a situation.”

Sounds like words to live by: Don’t forget to pause, even while you build one click and one brick at a time.

A Message From JB: "If you are a pastor in Sumner County and are interested in being a volunteer chaplain at Highpoint, please contact the chaplains office at highpoint.chaplain@lpnt.net to inquire about experience and education requirements. Highpoint Health Sumner is also an approved site for Ascension Saint Thomas Nashville Clinical Pastoral Education Partnership, so if any pastors are looking for that opportunity, please inquire as well."