Crouse Health Chaplains
Staff Chaplains are contracted through InterFaith Works of Central New York.
If you’d like to contact a hospital chaplain, please use this form.
Fr. Paschal Anionye, BCC
Fr. Paschal Anionye is a Roman Catholic priest serving as a Parochial Vicar in the Diocese of Syracuse. Educated and ordained in Nigeria, Fr. Paschal has completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital, under the supervision of Rev. Terry Culbertson, BCC, ACPE. He is a Board Certified Chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains and is the Priest Chaplain at Crouse Health. He has Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Theology and Master’s degree in Sacred Theology. Fr. Paschal is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology and a certificate in bio ethics. He also pursuing a certificate in end of life doula (end of life care).
Francine Berg, MME
Cantor Francine Berg joined the Spiritual Care Department as Jewish Staff Chaplain in December, 2023. A retired music educator and Cantor at Temple Concord in Syracuse, NY, she lives in Jamesville with her husband. She is now the Cantor at Menorah Park Skilled Nursing Facility.
Chaplain Tina Dillman, MFA
Tina Dillman is currently enrolled in the CPE program at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital, where she is working towards completing her first unit in May 2025. She has her Masters of Fine Art from the historic San Francisco Art Institute and her Bachelors of Fine Art from the University of Iowa. She presently resides in Syracuse, NY.
Imam Amir Duric, MDiv
Imam Amir Durić, MDiv, Muslim Staff Chaplain, has completed 1 unit of CPE through the Jewish Theological Seminary and is working towards his Ph.D. at Syracuse University.
Rev. Gerard McKeon, SJ
Rev. Gerard McKeon, SJ, BA, MDiv, is a Roman Catholic priest who serves on Wednesday mornings at Crouse. He is trained in spiritual direction at the Jesuit Renewal Center, and completed one unit of CPE Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MA. He currently also serves as a chaplain in corrections ministry, and works at the Spiritual Renewal Center in Syracuse, providing spiritual direction.
Rev. Willie Mitchell
Rev. Willie Mitchell is the founding pastor of Christ Cultivating Community in Nedrow, NY, where he has ministered for 20 years. More recently, he has completed two units of Clinical Pastoral education at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Rev. Willie supports the Emergency Department on Monday evenings and provides visits throughout the hospital on Tuesdays.
Rev. Mary Martha Rice
Rev. Mary Martha Rice has been ministering for 20 years in Non-Denominational Christian and Pentecostal Churches in Philadelphia, PA; Tanzania, Africa; Melbourne Australia; and more recently in Syracuse, NY. She has a BA, Dual MA in Christian Leadership/ Leadership and other post graduate studies, as well as two units Clinical Pastoral education from SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital. After serving as a Deaconess and overseas teaching Missionary, Rev. Mary was ordained to Ministry in 2013. She serves in both Hospital Chaplaincy, and several Parachurch Ministries, including Aglow International and Missio Global. Hospital Chaplaincy is her passion.
Rev. Robert Searle, BCC
Rev. Robert Searle, BA, MA, MDiv, D.Min is a Free Methodist Pastor ordained in 1978 in the UMC as a Deacon and as an Elder in 1980. He is Retired Board Certified through the APC and the VA. CPE experiences include 8 units. He currently works 40 hours per week, of which 20 hours are in Crouse’s Addiction Treatment Services. Rev. Searle is dedicated to rounding and ministering to patient’s, family, and staff in the intensive Care Unit at Crouse Health.