Title: Mental Health Chaplain
Company: Providence Alaska Medical Center
Location: Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Rev. Dr. Chaplain Patricia Ann Moody Ray, mental health chaplain at the Providence Alaska Medical Center, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Health Care Professionals for dedication, achievements, and leadership in mental health and spiritual support.
With a professional life spanning nearly 45 years, Rev. Dr. Ray has explored a number of different paths, beginning as a chairside dental assistant. Following that, she worked as a service representative at Chugach Electric Association Inc. and a manager at the Chugach Electric Dimond satellite office for more than 35 years. In these earlier chapters of her career, Rev. Dr. Ray learned skills that would remain relevant throughout her life. She also demonstrated her ability to engage with colleagues honestly and her strong work ethic.
Embracing a new direction in 2010, Rev. Dr. Ray became a mental health chaplain at Providence Alaska Medical Center. Working in the institution’s Spiritual Care Department, she is part of a group of chaplains that offer 24-hour support to patients and families in the hospital. Providence Alaska Medical Center is the largest hospital in the state of Alaska, providing Rev. Dr. Ray the opportunity to make a difference to a wide array of residents. Though she draws on her Christian faith, she provides mental health, spiritual health and social support to patients regardless of their individual religious beliefs.
In addition to serving patients within the chapel, Rev. Dr. Ray regularly visits different departments, including the emergency room, the surgery unit, the mental health unit, the renal care division and more. She assists in psychological evaluations and facilitates meetings between different groups at Providence Alaska Medical Center’s Crisis Recovery Center. Rev. Dr. Ray also conducts flag ceremonies for the families of organ donors. She is one of a handful of chaplains who offer telehealth services to those who need support but are unable to visit the hospital in person.
Before venturing onto her vocational path, Rev. Dr. Ray ensured that she had a strong foundation in her academic journey, beginning with an Associate of Arts in theology from Alaska Bible College and a second Associate of Arts in sociology from Anchorage Community College. Following that, she obtained a Bachelor of Theology from American Baptist College and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Alaska, where she graduated cum laude. Subsequently, Rev. Dr. Ray earned a Master of Arts in organizational leadership and social science from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Divinity from the Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary. She returned to the latter institution to complete a PhD in biblical communication.
Committed to lifelong learning, Rev. Dr. Ray has further bolstered her expertise through a range of professional credentials. She was certified as a chairside dental assistant through the College of Professional Assistants; as a senior fellow in Christian counseling through the Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary; in professional mental health through the University of San Diego; in biblical studies through Alaska Bible College; in life coach training through the Coach Training Alliance; and as a chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains. Rev. Dr. Ray was ordained as a deaconess and minister and licensed as an evangelist by the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. She was previously a notary public and completed seven units of residency in clinical pastoral education through Stanford University and the Providence Alaska Medical Center.
Beyond her work as a mental health chaplain, Rev. Dr. Ray is a dedicated wife and a loving mother to five children and grandmother to 10 grandchildren. She finds joy in bowling, decorating, traveling the world, shopping and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. In considering what’s next for her career, Rev. Dr. Ray plans to establish her own life coaching business. The organization will be titled Jewel of Life Coaching in honor of her mother.
For more information, please visit:
Who’s Who of Professional Women
Contact Rev. Dr. Ray: