For those who choose it, having a chaplain or religious leader at hand during difficult times is a comforting and often soothing experience. Few know this more than Miami VA Healthcare System Chaplain Phillip Binnie, who has been providing spiritual and/or pastoral care for Veterans, their families, as well as the health care teams for more than 27 years.In 2011 Chaplain Binnie, participated in the national VA Chaplaincy Resources of Care Initiative as a member of the Hospice and Palliative Care workgroup. The Resources of Care involved 75 VA Chaplains from 70 different VA facilities from across the nation, from various faith traditions, differing demographics, and varied professional experiences. Their mission was to develop methods of providing spiritual care that promote the Veteran Health Administration’s (VHA) vision of being Veteran-centric, evidence-based, and forward-looking.
The outcomes of that group have been adopted by many in VA looking to provide holistic care for Veterans in palliative and hospice units, and Chaplain Binnie was recently recognized for this part in this important national project by VA.
“It is the highest privilege possible for any American to serve our Veterans,” said Binnie when asked about his career at VA. “Veterans have preserved our way of life: freedom, liberty, and justice. We owe them everything.”
