Cancer Battle Inspires Aberdeen Woman to Become Chaplain

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — An Aberdeen woman is working in a new career path that she discovered while undergoing treatment for breast cancer in 1997.

Deb Barnett tells The American News that the secretary of radiation oncology at Avera Medical Group encouraged her to look into pastoral care because of her positive interactions with other patients.

She became a chaplain with Avera St. Luke's Hospital in 1999 and later covered a six-month term as chaplain at Avera Mother Joseph Manor Retirement Community. After her rotation at Mother Joseph was over, she decided she wanted to continue leading pastoral services at the nursing home.

Barnett says she enjoys doing ministry work with an older crowd because they "love to share their spirituality."

She says her calling is to provide pastoral services.

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