For the patients at Creighton University Medical Center, the burden of a hospital stay often becomes a little brighter with a visit from the Rev. Charlie Baumann, S.J.
Baumann is one of the chaplains at CUMC and spends much of his time visiting with patients and their families and friends. His work provides a bit of hope for patients who are often dealing with difficult situations.
“I’m the only chaplain in the hospital [on weekends]. I go from room to room and visit people and wish them well and hope they get well,” Baumann said.
“The best part is getting in good conversation with people. People are usually worried about more basic things like ‘what’s life going to be like after I have my surgery?’ so they’re more interested in life questions, and I find that more interesting.”
When he’s not reading or studying the Bible, he splits his time between taking a course at University of Nebraska Medical Center that teaches chaplain skills and working as a weekend chaplain at CUMC. He celebrates Mass at CUMC on Sundays for those who want to attend.
Baumann, who normally goes by “Father Charlie,” spends little time on Creighton’s campus, but when he is around, his presence is felt by how he interacts with others.
Baumann, a native of St. Louis, joined the novitiate after he graduated with a Master’s degree in chemistry from Iowa State University.
He decided to become a Jesuit because he felt joining the priesthood was what God wanted him to do. He said that his work allows his Jesuit mission to resonate in his life.
“[When] I show up in the [hospital] room, Jesus shows up in the room. He does whatever he does and I do whatever comes to mind,” Baumann said. “I think I’ve discovered what I do well and what I don’t do well. I can put those things that I’m not good at aside and am more aware of what I do well and go in those directions.”
Baumann taught for three years at Creighton Prep and worked at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Mankato, Minn. He also worked at the Siena/Francis House for more than two years.
He lived on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, spent 10 years doing charity work in Milwaukee, Wis., and then became a chaplain at CUMC.
Baumann sees the work of a Jesuit as more than just preforming sacraments.
“A Jesuit is a way of formation and growth of life in the Lord,” he said. “Being a Jesuit has helped form me and bring me closer to the Lord Jesus. That’s the best part of being a Jesuit.”
Baumann said his work is quick, going from room to room, but he hopes that each visit with a patient will provide laughter, which he feels is the best medicine.
“Basically I see a person once. It’s like being a salesman. You don’t know who’s in there when you walk in a room. [We] just trade stories or trade jokes,” Baumann said. “Humor is one of the ways that people get well. If I make them laugh, they can start to get well.”