What a Hospice Chaplain Hopes for in 2026

Josh Hwang Shares his Professional Goals

At the end of last year leaders across Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care’s six locations identified a group of team members to ask a forward-thinking question about their professional goals for the coming new year.

Chaplain Josh Hwang of Crossroads in Philadelphia was one of the team members who was asked, “What do you hope for professionally in the new year?” 

Here is how Chaplain Hwang answered the question: 

All spiritual care should be patient-centered, non-judgmental and culturally sensitive, respecting individual wishes.

I hope to provide a profound sense of supportive presence, peace, comfort and dignity every step of the way.

In this new year, I wish to be filled with the compassion, love and strength to embrace patients and families holistically with deepened commitment.

For Patients:

1. I hope to provide enhanced support through meaningful conversation, helping patients share their stories, heartbrokenness and regrets, leading to peace, love, forgiveness and acceptance.
2. I hope to help people connect, create space for meaningful conversation and reconciliation, strengthen bonds with family and community, and utilize music and storytelling for deep reflection.

For Families:

1. I hope to encourage family involvement in spiritual rituals and provide resources for them to support each other.
2. I hope to offer a comfort zone for family members as they get through this hard journey and navigate the end-of-life process.

For my Integrated Professional Care Team:

Strong collaboration among disciplines so team members know the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of their patients.

— Chaplain Josh Hwang