Patty has been employed as a hospital and hospice chaplain serving patients, families and staff for over twenty years. She was first drawn to chaplaincy through her love of people and life stories. She has found opportunities in chaplaincy and spiritual direction to create sacred space for deep listening, thoughtful and courageous conversation and the healing that is possible through thinking aloud with another. Patty brings her own grounded spirituality to her work as a spiritual director, along with genuine warmth, compassion and care for people. She also offers an open heart and a non-judgmental presence.

 Patty often uses the term “spiritual companion” to describe her role of walking alongside her clients as they seek to explore their relationship with God. Her understanding of spirituality is expansive as she meets her clients where they are on their journey. She is warm and welcoming and uses her skills to create a safe place for clients to share their stories and feel heard and understood.

 When she meets with her clients, Patty often imagines that she is holding a flat, African basket on her lap. Her clients pour their stories, hopes, fears and concerns into her basket, and then she and her clients together sift through what is in the basket, seeking new ways to understand, learn, and grow. 

As a health care chaplain, Patty has worked in palliative care and hospice, oncology, intensive care units and emergency departments. Her areas of experience include grief and loss, living with chronic illness, death and dying and life transitions. Patty has skills working with individuals to make sense, meaning and purpose in these challenging experiences. She has the ability to create brief therapeutic relationships as well as supportive relationships that may last months or years.

 Patty completed Spiritual Direction training at the Center for Spiritual Guidance in St. Paul. She has a Masters of Arts in Theology from Luther Seminary, Masters Degrees of Social Work and Public Health from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Augsburg University.

When Patty isn’t working, she spends time outdoors in nature with her family running, cross country skiing, hiking, biking, camping and traveling. She loves spending time with friends and extended family around the dinner table in good conversation. And she will never turn down an offer of chocolate or a good cup of coffee. 

** Patty Lee is an Independent Contract with Orka Health and Wellness.