Valerie Nicholas

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Luminis Health

Valerie Nicholas serves as chaplain and manager of guest, volunteer and pastoral services at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham, where her impact extends far beyond traditional hospital chaplaincy.

Nicholas has built a comprehensive pastoral care network at the medical center, recruiting volunteers from various faith traditions who provide spiritual support during critical moments. Her work encompasses both patient care and staff wellness, creating a foundation for support throughout the hospital.

“At Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, Valerie Nicholas has singlehandedly acquired a dedicated staff of pastoral volunteers of all denominations who serve the hospital and support the staff during tumultuous times of adversity and loss,” stated Lenny Nyangwara, system senior director, ancillary services at Luminis Health.

Nicholas functions as both an in-house and community-based chaplain, offering comfort to patients and families navigating life transitions. Her approach to chaplaincy includes practical assistance, connecting those in need with financial resources and necessities.

For hospital staff experiencing personal hardships, Nicholas serves as a trusted confidante and resource coordinator, ensuring that employees have support systems in place. This comprehensive care model addresses both emotional and practical needs.

Nicholas’s commitment to community service has led to the establishment of a nonprofit organization focused on addressing domestic violence and homelessness in Prince George’s County.

Through this initiative, Nicholas coordinates donation drives that collect food, clothing and toys for vulnerable families.

“She regularly runs drives internally and externally for families affected by these issues, and we have sponsored food drives, toy drives and clothing drives through her dedication to these programs as an organization whose mission is to serve our community,” Nyangwara said.

Nicholas’s volunteer efforts demonstrate an integrated approach to community care that begins within hospital walls but extends throughout the region, addressing critical social issues while supporting both health care workers and patients through life’s most challenging moments.

The nomination for Volunteer of the Year recognizes Nicholas’s exceptional service and her ability to mobilize resources for those facing adversity both within health care settings and throughout the broader community.

Honoree profiles were written using an artificial intelligence program and supported by honoree nominations, applications and letters of recommendation. Each profile was reviewed, fact-checked and edited for accuracy by The Daily Record’s editorial staff.