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Pictured: Mary Brumley, Critical Care Chaplain for OhioHealth Grant Medical Center.

Support along the journey. That’s how Mary Brumley describes her role as a critical care chaplain at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center for the past six years. In that time, she’s worked with donor families and witnessed the hope that donation can provide for these families in their darkest hour.

“Many families who decide donation is right for them have talked with me about that decision. I have watched as a different kind of hope fills them. They are losing a loved one, but they are hopeful that in that loss, someone else might find healing. So, I guess donation to me at times offers a different type of hope.”

National Donor Sabbath is observed two weekends before Thanksgiving, from Friday through Sunday. It’s a time for faith leaders from all denominations to raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation to save lives and encourage others to register their donation decision. Mary has been a transformational leader in this space. She was influenced to become a chaplain when she was studying for her master’s degree and was assigned as a student chaplain at Emory University Hospital.

“That year changed my perception of what being a chaplain meant and what it was to help others. I witnessed emotional and spiritual suffering, and learned how to journey with and support people during their most difficult times.” 

Working at Grant is a perfect fit for Mary because she always knew she was called to work at a trauma facility.

“I wanted to work in a place with diversity that felt like home. That is Grant. Here, there is a strong sense of teamwork and commitment to our patients. Chaplains are integrated in to the everyday life of the institution, not a second thought. Each day as the critical care chaplain brings unknown joys and challenges and the opportunity to help people in the midst of their most difficult moments.”     

In her free time, Mary enjoys gardening, baking, camping and playing video games. When asked what fills her cup, she responds, “being outside … hearing the birds … feeling the sun.”

Join us in thanking Mary and her fellow chaplains for their efforts to support grieving families. During National Donor Sabbath, let’s remember to “Be a light to those who are waiting.”

To learn more about organ, tissue and eye donation visit the Lifeline of Ohio website. To update your registry status, click here.