Bay Pines VA chaplain steadfast in mission to provide comfort

The fabric of Bay Pines VA is woven with individuals from all walks of life who are dedicated to serving America’s heroes, but within our chaplain service Veterans may find a form of healing that is truly intangible.

Chaplain Kaylla Cooper reflects on the pride that’s evoked by caring for others in times of joy and extreme adversity.

“My mother is a VA chaplain and a retired Army chaplain, so being able to witness her work sparked my curiosity,” the Army Reserve captain said. “I really can’t think of a time in my life that I haven’t been in church. More importantly, I can’t think of a time when I’ve not felt some sense of responsibility and urgency to serve the Lord in a much deeper context.”

Cooper, who hails from a military family, spent her entire life knowing she would join the Armed Forces, but it wasn’t until adulthood that she felt called to become a chaplain. In time, that calling evolved into a want to serve Veterans.

“You really have to come into this with an open mind because you’re sitting with people from all faiths, traditions and cultures. Not everyone is comfortable with that,” she said.

In addition to being open and unbiased, becoming a VA chaplain can be a lengthy process. To provide faith-based services at VA, one must first obtain an endorsement, then complete clinical training, a residency and a fellowship. Then they must acquire board certification. For Cooper, the nearly 10 years it took to earn her title as a VA chaplain was well worth it.

“It’s exciting to know I can serve the Lord in this capacity. I’ve joined a team where I have an opportunity to bring my perspective to the table. With the support of my chief and the rest of my team, I find a lot of joy in what I do,” she said.

When Cooper joined Bay Pines VA last year, she became the first woman chaplain in the healthcare system’s 90-year history. In her role, she serves as the only chaplain for Bay Pines VA’s Lee County Healthcare Center as well as the VA Clinics in the southern catchment area.

“My daily responsibilities vary, but the Veterans always come first. As long as I don’t already have a spiritual session on my calendar, I always have time to meet with them. Veterans have total agency, so the care I provide is dependent on the type of services they would like to receive.”

Whether it’s leading individual sessions or group activities, Cooper remains committed to uncovering new ways to effectively care for those she serves.

“Being a VA chaplain is important to me because I’ve been given an opportunity to be the person to walk with them, journey with them and, when they don’t want to talk, to sit with them. If I wasn’t caring for Veterans, I just couldn’t imagine what else I would be doing,” she said.