Kingsley Jacob Garba
Winnipeg,Canada
Summary
Compassionate and clinically trained Spiritual Care Practitioner with over a decade of interfaith spiritual care experience in hospital and long-term care environments. An ordained Catholic priest dedicated to fostering respect for diverse faith traditions while acknowledging the impact of historical atrocities, with a strong commitment to cultural and religious inclusivity. Expertise in trauma-informed care, CISM crisis debriefing, and end-of-life accompaniment underscores a person-centered, values-based approach to care. Currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health focused on eldercare and preventive health, further enhancing the ability to provide holistic support in complex healthcare settings.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Spiritual Health Practitioner (Chaplain)
St. Boniface Hospital
03.2023 - Current
- Provide interfaith spiritual and emotional care to patients, families, and hospital staff.
- Respond to Code Blue calls and offer spiritual care support in the Emergency Department and across various hospital units.
- Serve as the primary Chaplain for the A South Surgical Department.
- Provide on-call weekend coverage for Palliative Care, Mental Health, Women and Children (Obstetrics and Gynecology), NICU, ICCU, and ICMS units as needed.
- Offer advanced palliative and end-of-life care, including withdrawal-of-life rituals and bereavement support from a multifaith perspective.
- Knowledge in MAID awareness spiritual care support and Ethics in Healthcare to support patients and families with compassion and ethical sensitivity.
- Provided interfaith spiritual and emotional care to patients, families, and hospital staff.
- Responded to Code Blue calls and offered spiritual care support in the Emergency Department and various hospital units.
- Served as the primary Chaplain for the A South Surgical Department.
- Provided on-call weekend coverage for Palliative Care, Mental Health, Women and Children (Obstetrics and Gynecology), NICU, ICCU, and ICMS units as needed.
- Offered advanced palliative and end-of-life care, including withdrawal-of-life rituals and bereavement support from a multifaith perspective.
- Facilitated spiritual care consultations with interdisciplinary teams to address holistic patient needs.
- Conducted regular spiritual assessments to identify and address the emotional and spiritual concerns of patients and families.
- Guided individuals through end-of-life decision making, offering comfort and clarity during difficult times.
- Provided spiritual guidance to patients and staff members by conducting regular counseling sessions.
- Delivered thoughtful eulogies at memorial services, honoring the lives of deceased patients while offering solace to grieving loved ones.
- Conducted crisis intervention sessions with individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, providing comfort and support during critical times.
- Led interfaith prayer services and rituals that honored diverse spiritual beliefs and practices.
- Collaborated with medical staff to address ethical dilemmas, providing spiritual perspectives to enhance patient care.
- Educated hospital staff on the importance of spiritual care, fostering a supportive environment for patients and families.
- Participated in interdisciplinary rounds to ensure holistic consideration of patients' spiritual and emotional needs.
Spiritual Care Chaplain
Perpetual Succour Hospital
06.2018 - 12.2022
- Provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and direct care to residents, family members and staff.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for holistic patient care, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
- Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
- Developed relationships with patients and families, resulting in increased trust and rapport during difficult times.
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons, and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission.
- Authored sermons, speeches and other religious materials.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
- Provided compassionate pastoral care in emergency departments, addressing the spiritual needs of patients experiencing acute distress or trauma.
- Provided spiritual guidance to patients and staff members by conducting regular counseling sessions.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
- Delivered comforting presence during end-of-life situations, offering prayers and rituals to honor the patient''s beliefs and values.
- Delivered thoughtful eulogies at memorial services, honoring the lives of deceased patients while offering solace to grieving loved ones.
- Conducted crisis intervention sessions with individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, providing comfort and support during critical times.
- Applied knowledge regarding crisis interventions to assist in emergency situations.
- Researched and prepared materials used in Bible study and daily devotions.
- Managed office and maintained records and files to offload administrative duties from chaplain.
- Facilitated grief support groups, helping participants cope with loss and find healing through shared experiences.
- Advocated for ethical decision-making in clinical settings by participating in medical ethics committees and case consultations.
Education
Ph.D. - Public Health, Preventive Healthcare
Adventist University of The Philippines
Philippines12-2026
Master of Public Health - Hospital Administration
University of the Visayas
Cebu, Philippines01.2024
M.D. -
Region 1 Medical Center
Dagupan, Pangasinan, Philippines01.2023
Doctor of Medicine (MD) - undefined
University of the Visayas, Gullas College of Medicine
Mandaue, Philippines01.2021
Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.Th) -
St. August Major Seminary Jos- Plateau
Nigeria01.2013
Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) - undefined
St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary
Makurdi01.2009
National Certificate in Education (NCE) - Mathematics & Geography
Kaduna State College of Education
Nigeria05.2004
Skills
- Spiritual Assessment & Interfaith Pastoral Care
- End-of-Life & Grief Support
- Cultural Competency & Staff Wellness
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Active certified member of CISM with special training on Trauma-Informed Care
- Conflict Resolution & Critical Incident Debriefing
- Ethical Framework Promotion & Family Advocacy
- Public Health Integration in Spiritual Care
- Patient education
- Patient safety
- Patient counseling
- Public health procedures
- Preventative care
- Documentation and reporting
- Staff management
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Excellent communication
- Reliability
- Multitasking Abilities
Languages
English
Accomplishments
- Elected to represent Manitoba in the national body governing professional practice.
- Use official CASC/ACSS communications for regional/national responsibilities.
- Support development of professional standards, ethics, and competency frameworks nationwide.
LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Manitoba Regional Representative – Professional Practice Commission (PPC)
Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC/ACSS) — Elected 2025–Present
Engage with practitioners, regional leaders, and national committees to promote excellence in spiritual health.
Certification
- Certificates in Learning Poverty and Mental Health Crisis, Given on October 7, 2025
- Certificates in Mental Health and Multiple Sclerosis, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania in 2025
- Certificates in An introduction to death, dying and grief, from Open University, Issue date: 12 October 2025
- Certificates in Preventing Dementia, from University of Tasmania, Australia, 2025
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
- Guest Speaker, “Community-Based Diabetes Care for Older Adults in Rural Nigeria: Integrating Screening, Health Education, and Social Support for Sustainable Aging.” Presented at the 5th Edition of the International Public Health Conference on March 19-21, 2026, in Singapore.
- Guest speaker, Promoting public health nutrition to prevent diet-related diseases in Nigeria – a systematic review. October 15-17, 2025. 3rd International Trainee Symposium in Agri-Food, Nutrition and Health. Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Albrechtsen Research Centre.
- Co-Author, “The influence of training and resource availability on the implementation success of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (LA-CAB) at Gitwe Hospital,” 2025.
- Webinar, Guest speaker: Worldwide obesity among children: current issues. Student of PhD in Public Health major in Preventive Health Care at Adventist University of the Philippines. Public Health campaign 28 October 2024.
- Public Health Awareness, Co-researcher: NUTRISYON PARA KAY LOLO’T LOLA: 7-Day Nutrition Guide for Healthy Aging. Student of PhD in Public Health major in Preventive Health Care at Adventist University of the Philippines. Elderly Care Program 2025.
- A Research Proposal on Social and Human Development, Exploring Challenges and Development Needs in Hospital Chaplaincy: A Descriptive Study Using Random Sampling of Personal, Material, Attitudinal, and Management Factors Influencing Resilience in Spiritual Care Settings, 2025
Timeline
Spiritual Health Practitioner (Chaplain)
St. Boniface Hospital
03.2023 - Current
Spiritual Care Chaplain
Perpetual Succour Hospital
06.2018 - 12.2022
Master of Public Health - Hospital Administration
University of the Visayas
Doctor of Medicine (MD) - undefined
University of the Visayas, Gullas College of Medicine
Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) - undefined
St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary
National Certificate in Education (NCE) - Mathematics & Geography
Kaduna State College of Education
Ph.D. - Public Health, Preventive Healthcare
Adventist University of The Philippines
M.D. -
Region 1 Medical Center
Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.Th) -
St. August Major Seminary Jos- Plateau