Pastoral Care

Bio coming soon

Chaplain Donna grew up in Clear Lake City, Texas. Though her college and seminary years took her to other places, she now calls Clear Lake City home. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Howard Payne University. She earned her Master’s degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Chaplain Hussey completed her CPE residency at Houston Methodist Clear Lake in Nassau Bay, Texas. She is currently in the process of becoming a board-certified chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains.

Donna has served in various student ministries for over thirty years. She has been married for over 30 years to Mark and together they have three adult children. She enjoys vacationing with friends and family, spending time with people, and enjoying the beauty of nature, particularly the bluebonnets! She is a lifetime member of PTA, been involved in Girl Scouts with her daughters for over twenty years, and serves on the Alumni Board of her alma mater, Howard Payne University. She attends Sagemont Church in Houston, Texas.

Donna’s ministry focus is following the example of Jesus who “sees” people where they are. Through hearing their story, being present with them to support or guide them, it is her hope that whatever need they have, she can provide for that need and be the hands and feet of God. Joining the Pastoral Care team as Business Coordinator has been a joy and allows her to support chaplains, students and staff.

Chaplain Jenny Schindler grew up in Missouri City/Sugar Land, Texas and now calls Galveston home. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Texas Tech University. She earned her master’s degree in Christian Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Chaplain Schindler completed her CPE residency at Baylor Scott & White in Temple, TX, and a chaplain fellowship in pediatrics at McLane Children’s Medical Center also in Temple, TX. She is a board-certified chaplain through the Association for Professional Chaplains.

Jenny has been serving in ministry for over 20 years. She enjoys camping and is currently on the board of a Christian camp in the Texas hill country. She has been involved in pre-school ministry, youth groups, and singles’ ministry. She enjoys being outside, going to the beach, biking, hiking, photography, and spending time with friends and family. She attends Coastal Community Church in Galveston.

The basis of Jenny’s ministry is God’s love. 1 John 4:11-12 says, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” Showing God’s love to someone will hopefully help them with whatever they need whether that is healing, forgiveness, finding hope, peace, or meaning in their situation.

Jim George grew up in a tiny island in the Middle East called Bahrain. After schooling he moved to India, the Motherland, for his higher education. He has completed an Advance Diploma in Flight Operations Management and Dispatch and has also earned his Master of Divinity from Southern Asia Bible College/ Centre for Global Leadership Development.

Jim is compassionate about reaching out to the less fortunate and has worked with a NGO in India in Interventions that was involved in identifying, rescuing, and rehabilitating victims of trafficking for Child Labor and Sex Slavery for 3 years.

Jim moved to Houston, USA in 2018 with his brother and stays with and takes care of his parents. Jim is endorsed by a Pentecostal Church of God. He has completed 3 units of Clinical Pastoral Education as a resident with Houston Methodist Sugarland and a unit as an Intern with Houston Methodist Hospital in the Medical Center. He has been employed as a full time Chaplain with UTMB since 2022 and works closely with the Palliative Care team as their chaplain.

Jim is involved with many ministries and plays in the worship team at his church. He enjoys being a mentor to the younger generation, listening to and playing music, cooking with the family, road tripping and playing video games with family and friends. He got married to the love of his life in 2023 and looks forward to great adventures and life journeys ahead.

Lamentations 3:21-25 serves as the basis of his ministry and passion. He longs to serve all those who might be less fortunate and are at a point in their lives where hope is lost. Jim wants to share of the hope he has found and wants to help fellow travelers journey towards what gives them hope in their lives.

Rev. Simon John, M. Th, BCC, APC is an Ordained and commissioned Minister by the Pentecostal Church. His theology is: God created human beings in God’s own image. It means all human beings are God’s creation, and life is a God’s valuable gift. “God so loved the world” it implies each life is scared and each person has equal worth and dignity.

Born in India, Chaplain John completed seven units of Clinical Pastoral Education at both Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center (TMC), Houston, (3 Units) and Memorial Hermann Hospital (TMC), Houston (4 units) where he attained working experience in ICU, MICU, SICU, Neuro, Ortho/Trauma, Family Medicine, Transplant unit, Children Hospital and ACE unit in a Level I Emergency center. Chaplain John’s ministry in the church includes 17 plus years of licensed and ordained Pastoral Ministry experience.

His work outside of the church includes his work as a Registrar and Professor in a Theological Seminary with 13 years of experience in managing the academic administration of more than 200 students. Chaplain John has served as a Volunteer Social Worker and his hobbies include cricket, watching TV, and reading. Chaplain John is married to Seny and they have three children: Gladson, Gladys, and Gloria.

My name is Chaplain Vera Lewis. I am a contemplative, and an empathetic listener who seeks to share joy and peace in all moments of life. I interact well with different personality types. I look forward to offering authentic acceptance for patients, their family, and staff. I enjoy creating contemplative and safe sacred spaces, and a caring and confidential environment in which people can share their sacred stories, emotions, values, hopes and dreams for life. I feel privileged to witness those times when people experience transforming love, acceptance, and healing.

For enjoyment and self-care, I do Tai Chi and Qigong, work in my garden, listen to calm meditative music, meet with my personal spiritual director, and participate as a member of a Peer Supervision Group. I plan to be a reliable asset to the UTMB Organization.

Rev. Dr. Tammy Isaac is a Houston, TX native, a licensed ordained Minister, a Chaplain, a Certified Life Coach, Certified Grief Counselor, Board Certified Christian Counselor, and author. Dr. Isaac holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Speech Communication from Texas Southern University, and Master of Divinity from Houston Graduate School of Theology. She did post graduate studies abroad at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. There she studied Coexistence in the Middle East and experienced the challenges of human diversity overseas where civilizations, religions and cultures converge. Dr. Isaac received her Doctor of Ministry degree at Houston Graduate School of Theology.

She volunteers at the Star of Hope Women’s Shelter, participates in numerous outreach efforts in the community and is an advocate of breast cancer awareness and heart health awareness. In her spare time Dr. Isaac enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with family, and loving on her two dogs, Birdie Blu, and Bailee Rae, whom she loves dearly. Dr. Isaac founded a private counseling practice called Breathe Counseling Center where she focuses on Grief Recovery Support and Christian Counseling.

I am Linh Nguyen. You can call me Chaplain Nguyen. Dr. Nguyen or Rev. Nguyen. I was ordained Deacon and Elder in the United Methodist Church in Redland, CA. I came from Vietnam, my homeland, through a refugee program and settled in Los Angeles in 1983. I became a US citizen in 1988. My theology is: God is always actively at work through Jesus Christ of Nazareth in the power of the Holy Spirit to save, to heal and to deliver people and so am I.

My undergraduate degree was BA in Psychology at California State University, Northridge in 1990. I pastored for 8 years in Southwest Houston since 996 to 2004 to develop a ministry among the Vietnamese refugees and immigrants. I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education program in Houston at the Texas Medical Center in 2004 and I have worked as a Chaplain ever since. I love to engage with people and connect with people through listening and offering the graces of Jesus Christ.

I have been hosting a radio program on KREH 900 AM about youth and Social Issues since 2001 and I hosted a TV program called the Religious View.

I attend a local church with my family, and I am loving God’s people as I have learned to love myself and grow in His grace. I love to walk along the beach, take pictures and listen to music.

I am married to Caroline, and we have 3 children Lisa, Steven and Ricky.

I am Fr. Johnson Pappachan, an ordained Priest of the Orthodox Church with 29 years of parish ministry experience in India and the United States. I am a spiritual care minister with hospice experience, providing emotional and spiritual support to a diverse population. I counsel individuals who have difficulties in life or are facing end-of-life issues and provide spiritual support to my fellow staff members and Caregivers.

I earned four units of CPE from EMORY in Atlanta and a residency in Chaplaincy at Memorial Hermann in Houston, TX.

I am well-versed in performing end-of-life rites, Holy Anointing, and Holy Sacraments. I believe that I am a diligent, highly motivated, passionate, and results-oriented person in all facets of my ministry. I have four years of experience working as a Chaplain, offering emotional and spiritual support to patients and families facing illness and complicated medical decisions. Additionally, I have experience providing end-of-life care to Covid-19 patients and their families. I am a life-long learner to incorporate educational background and am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Chaplaincy.

My Theology

"All may be one." It would be a significant step toward Christians recognizing one another across denominational lines. Our Lord Jesus Christ inspired us, encouraged us when difficulties arose and guided us past all abstract and material impediments to a satisfying conclusion: "They are birds of the same feather flying in different directions toward a common goal." Regardless of race, social class, religious beliefs, or position of influence within the church and community, my attitude and actions will treat all my fellow human beings with dignity and respect.

My goal is to be a better human being.

Chaplain Enrique (Henry) Quintana brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to service as an employee at UTMB. With a background rooted in public service, community engagement and spiritual leadership, he is well-equipped to support and uplift both patients and staff.

Originally from California, Chaplain Quintana served as a Non-Denominational Ordained Reverend and Associate Pastor at CWCLIFE. Additionally, he dedicated 20 years to protecting and serving his community as a member of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office in the Bay Area of California.

In 2021, after retiring from public service, Chaplain Quintana relocated to Houston, Texas, with his wife Crystal Quintana of 25 years (Chaplain @ UTMB & Memorial Hermann Health System) and their amazing seven children.

His passion for learning led him to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Math/Science from Houston Christian University. He continued his education at the same institution, earning a Masters of Divinity. Currently, he is pursuing an MBA in Leadership & Human Resources Development at Louisiana State University School of Business, demonstrating his commitment to personal growth and professional development.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Chaplain Quintana enjoys a variety of hobbies and activities, including fishing, swimming, golf, shooting, hiking, traveling, and spending time at the beach. His love for people and dedication to serving the church and community shine through in all aspects of his life.

As a member of the UTMB team, Chaplain Quintana brings his compassionate nature, diverse skill set, and unwavering dedication to providing spiritual support and guidance to those in need.

Catherine Vance was raised as a Presbyterian but was always interested in world religions and philosophy and became a Unitarian Universalist (UU) as an adult. She is active in her congregation, Bay Area UU Church, and the Interfaith Council of Greater Clear Lake. She also preaches regularly for her denomination and is a candidate for UU ministry who is completing her MDiv at Iliff School of Theology in Denver.

She completed a chaplaincy internship and fellowship (4 units of CPE) at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in 2022. She was born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee but moved to Houston at the age of 10 when her dad went to work for NASA. She worked as an English instructor at various colleges for many years and holds an MA in American Literature from Texas A&M and an MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis. She is a novelist, poet, and essayist. Her historical novel “The Mountains Under Her Feet” came out in 2023. She has two grown daughters and four grandsons and (fun fact) danced with a hula troupe for 12 years.

She relates to her patients by virtue of having survived some hard life experiences and feeling called to show up for others in their times of greatest need. Why are you doing what you are doing, people ask her. Why are you a chaplain? One of her favorite responses comes from the poet Rainer Maria Rilke: “Because all that’s here, vanishing so quickly, seems to need us and strangely concerns us.”