Rooted in theological integrity and sacred traditions, we minister to the human condition to foster individual and corporate healing, meaning and hope.
Spiritual care is an important part of the healing environment at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Chaplains are available to patients and their loved ones for support, comfort, guidance and advocacy. The Center for Reflection and Renewal in the Heart Hospital lobby offers a labyrinth for meditative walking, a quiet prayer alcove, and comforting and encouraging print resources from many faith traditions. Occasional services are offered form the hospital community.
Spiritual health providers are available to patients and their loved ones for support, comfort, guidance and advocacy. They respect all religious or spiritual preferences and collaborate with hospital staff to give patients the best care possible including:
David Bergstrom, M.Div.
Staff chaplain, Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Email Chaplain Bergstrom
612-863-8544
David joined the Allina Health team in January 2019 and provides spiritual care to the neuro/medical-surgical ICU patients, family members, and staff that serve there. He is a Twin Cities native with a B.A. from Bethel College, and a M.Div. from North Park Seminary in Chicago. He is ordained in the Covenant Church, and has served in chaplain ministry for ten years. He and his wife Karin live in Minneapolis with their two teenage sons.
Ken Burg, M.Div
Staff chaplain, Abbott Northwestern Hospital (Advanced Heart Failure Team)
Email Chaplain Burg
612-863-0323
Ken manages the Spiritual Care Department and has served as a staff chaplain since 2011. He primarily attends to cardiology patients, families and staff. Ken holds a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary in Nyack, NY, is ordained in the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination, and is board certified through the Association of Professional Chaplains. He has served 25+ years as a pastor in churches in Philadelphia, PA, Albany, NY, New Hope, and Northfield, MN. Born and raised in Cottage Grove, MN, he suffered through the sudden death of his first wife in 1999 and teaches grief recovery. He is married to Jane and they have two adult children. Ken's favorite hobby is finding dirt-cheap travel bargains and cheering for all the Minnesota sports teams.
Kyle Vlach, M.Div., LMFT
Manager and CPE educator, Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Email Chaplain Vlach
612-863-0749
Kyle Vlach is a life-long Minnesotan, an ordained Christian minister and interfaith chaplain & educator. His education includes a B.S. in Psychology and M.Div. with Post-graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He completed both his CPE Internship and Residency at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Kyle is an ACPE Certified Educator and manager of the Allina Health CPE Center. He has served Allina Health most of his adult life, beginning as a nursing assistant and staffing coordinator during college, and as chaplain beginning in 2005. Kyle lives in St. Paul with his wife and daughter.
Andrea Wichhart-Tatley, M.Div.
Palliative Care chaplain, Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Email Chaplain Wichhart-Tatley
612-863-7012
Andrea is the spiritual health provider for the Palliative Care team. Prior to her present position, she worked in palliative care at Mercy Hospital and with other health care systems in the Twin Cities. She has spent much of her life in the beautiful state of Minnesota where she enjoys photography, hiking the North Shore and writing. She is the Lead Resiliency member for Allina Health's Hospice and Palliative Care group where she develops and facilitates programs to encourage staff to care for their patients by caring for themselves first and foremost. She teaches about resiliency both in workshops and through a bi-weekly blog. Her work often focuses on nature-based therapies as they integrate with spirituality and the use of the sacred creative as centering tools for both patient and staff.