Robert Tonkin

ATRIUM HEALTH UNIVERSITY, CHARLOTTE, NC Robert serves as a staff chaplain at Atrium Health University in NC. Robert writes, “I love working as a hospital chaplain. For me, the journey to hospital chaplaincy began with my own experience as a pediatric cancer patient out of which grew a heart present with others when they walk through difficult journeys. In chaplaincy, what seems like a bunch of random life experiences and gifts have come together for a holy purpose, being a representative of God’s grace, compassion, and love to the wounded, broken, anxious, and grieving patients in the hospital and to the staff who take care of them.”

As a hospital chaplain, Rob works with pediatrics through end-of-life care. He has an M.Div. from Ashland Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy from Wooster College. Previously, Robert served as staff chaplain at St. Vincent Ascension, Evansville, Indiana and is working towards board certification. He was ordained by Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Fremont, Ohio.