Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

Recent Posts

About

Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

Days 314-316 – Our Costumes

   As my daughter put her daughter to bed on Halloween night, the two-year-old said to her, "Even though I'm taking off my costume, I'm still Cinderella."

   Not yet three, my granddaughter already understands that you don't have to have the costume on to truly be the character.

Stethoscope 1    What impact does your "costume" have on you as a caregiver? Do you still feel like a doctor, nurse or other caregiver when you doff your uniform in favor of regular clothes?

   My work outfit as a hospital CEO was nothing more than a suit and tie. But, I recall the strange feeling I experienced when I left hospital leadership after thirty years and was no longer wearing a name-tag that said, "President & CEO."

   I also felt the impact of our work costumes during the years I worked alongside staff in the hospital and put on a housekeeping or dietary uniform. The moment I doned the clothes of a housekeeper, for example, I immediately felt the difference.

   Back when I took over Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus we had six thousand employees and over one thousand doctors on staff.

   As CEO, I immediately received some deference. In a housekeeper's uniform, I was sometimes invisible to others – a painful signal of the way lower-paid staff are treated every day.

   I felt a little like my granddaughter. "Even though I'm not wearing my coat and tie, I'm still the CEO."

   Of course, we are not our jobs, but that distinction can sometimes be lost. Caregiver's uniforms and work tools can empower or dis-empower.

   A stethoscope around the neck confers high status. A mop does not.

   Until almost every hospital employee began wearing them, scrubs used to signal high status. Patient gowns never have. 

   Indeed, patient gowns are the most important example of the way we feel and are treated because of what we are wearing. When I've had to put one on, I've always felt like I needed to say to everyone around me, "Even though I'm wearing a patient gown, I'm still a person."

   Meanwhile, for me, my granddaughter will always be Cinderella. Whether, she is wearing her Halloween costume or whether, one day far in the future, she is wearing a cap and gown.

Reverend Erie Chapman 

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7 responses to “Days 314-316 – Our Costumes”

  1. Julie Laverdiere Avatar
    Julie Laverdiere

    Erie, your granddaughter is truly wise. Even at 3! I haven’t worn a nurses hat in 30 years. I kind of miss them, because it really defined who you were. I traded it for a lab coat and stethoscope, but still as a nurse. When I shed that uniform at home, I am still that nurse. My job has defined who I am, 24/7.
    If ever I am in a situation that demands my skill, I go to it. I am always proud to tell people I am a nurse. I feel lucky.

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  2. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    You raise interesting questions for us to consider, Erie. I’ve had great fun when I dressed up for Halloween parties in prior years because they allowed me to break out of my usual roles to experience less traditional ones.
    I too have experienced the prestige of wearing a uniform. I’ve also had occasions to feel anonymous. I think for the person who is ill and in the hospital; donning the hospital gown is akin to being stripped of one’s identity and a sense of control. It is a very vulnerable position to be in. I think that is what I find so appealing about home care. We meet people on their terms, in their own home. The caregiver is a guest and must be invited into the life of the patient and family.
    I appreciate your musings, I think the challenge with roles is that we can lose sight of being our true selves. When encountering people as spiritual beings the status of roles is irrelevant. The playing field is equalized; each person has inherent value and worth as a living, breathing, precious gift of life. If we lived in awareness of this truth, I think we could see beyond surfaces and labels we so often impose and to have a real encounter.
    I would be remiss if I did not say that, what I appreciate most about your reflection today is the sweet Love expressed for your granddaughter.

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  3. xavier espinosa Avatar
    xavier espinosa

    “Once upon a time there lived a vain Emperor whose only worry in life was to dress in elegant clothes. He changed clothes almost every hour and loved to show them off to his people.”
    I am very fortunate that in my life I have lived well, traveled and enjoyed luxuries that many others have not. I understand how my appearance can facilitate to engage or deter those I have not met. Certainly I have learned that certain events require protocols related to dressing that are in direct proportion to the social occasion. And there are times when I just want to be comfortable and not bother to take the time to be put together. Jokingly one of my dearest friends and I will remark “It is better to be well fed than well groomed” There have been times when I have been introduced to someone new prior to a more formal event when I have not looked my pencil sharpener best, and later on that day see them again in my sartorial splendor. I have been told “Oh! You clean up well!”. As innocent and innocuous as that expression can seem at the time, I sometimes reflect on the complexion of the latter versus the former encounter and wonder- would the texture of the relationship be the same if I had not changed my clothes? Would I be less interesting, less charming, would my goodness be overlooked if I were better fed than groomed? Would I be deemed acceptable to be approached if not for the safety of the introduction?
    We exist in a time and place where visions flash before us at such speed that our initial reactions to circumstances rely heavily on the familiar. When we decide to undertake the role of caretakers we can not fail to understand the importance that our initial presentation inures in those who are thrust into the realm of the health care vortex. Seldom does one schedule a health crisis. It is a common place joke, but how many of us grew up with someone saying- “Make sure you are wearing clean underwear in case you get into an accident” In as much as what the clinician wears affects the confidence that the patient bestows on us, can we as the person standing at the side of the bed honestly say that we have not made value judgements on the person seeking help based on their outward appearance? In these modern times how would, or has the care we pledge to provide been altered if we encountered a disheleved, bloodied man wearing little more than a loin cloth lying on a gurney in our emergency room? What assumptions would we make? How much would we give? How much would we hold back? Yet we venerate the same presentation every time we enter a place of worship? What would Jesus do?
    A popular song once asked “What if God was one of us? Just a stranger on a bus trying to get home?” With or without the costume a child is still a princess, with or without the outward appearance we are all children of God- made in his image and likeness and worthy of respect.
    “The Emperor realized that the people were right but could not admit to that. He though it better to continue the procession under the illusion that anyone who couldn’t see his clothes was either stupid or incompetent. And he stood stiffly on his carriage, while behind him a page held his imaginary mantle.”
    In the story it is an innocent child who boldly states “The Emperor is naked” Aren’t we all?

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  4. Marily Avatar
    Marily

    When I was a child alone in our bedroom, I used to wear a head covering using a white pillowcase designed like a nun’s. I would imagine myself as the singing nun I’ve seen in the movie. It made me thought… maybe I can be one too. Her character was very pleasant, joyful, unafraid, trusting and most of all, God loving. Whatever I have created in my mind then, could have helped shaped me into what I am now, though I don’t wear a nun’s habit, I still do feel I am one, married with two beautiful daughters, and more blessings I can say beyond my imagination.

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  5. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Love these comments! I remember an experience that I want to share.
    Oddly enough, I used to cross paths with a hospital CEO and I always felt intimidated whenever in his presence. I think it was because he had such an important position; he was so polished and seemed so perfect. I observed that in meetings, he always asked focused questions that raised accountability and he had a persona that naturally commanded respect. When he would pass by in the hallway, I always felt invisible (because I made myself that way). His role seemed so “up there” to me, so big and powerful. One day I was at a celebratory event. The room was overflowing with excitement, laughter and animated conversation. I happened to glance across the room and I saw this CEO sitting alone and looking awkward. Suddenly, I felt a great surge of compassion for him. For the first time I saw him as a real person who was vulnerable, just like me.
    A few months later, our paths crossed again. This time we both arrived early to an event in which he was going to welcome guests with a short speech. While we were waiting for the session to begin, I decided to reach beyond my comfort level and initiated a conversation with him in a friendly manner. I was nervous but I did not let it deter me. I realized I had previously created barriers because I saw this CEO in costume, in his role. Once the veil lifted, I saw him as a real person and I discovered that he was a wonderful human being.

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  6. Cliff Spears Avatar
    Cliff Spears

    What a very intelligent kid your granddaughter is, Erie. I know someone who was a born with a silver spoon in his mouth but never felt comfortable wearing very formal attires. Personally, I think he’s such a humble man for that. For him, one should always consider the occasion, or not. Someone always ties the attire with the person. Everyone should be respected because of the things that they do, not by the way they dress.

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  7. supra for kids Avatar
    supra for kids

    Very, very nicely done!

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