The Rev. Daniel D. Warriner
UConn Health celebrates Spiritual Care Week during the last full week of October (19-25). Spiritual Care Week is our opportunity to celebrate the work our chaplains do for patients, families, and the staff. In that spirit, each day is its own “Spirit Day” — please see details below!
Chaplaincy is also known as “spiritual care,” and this reflects that chaplains care for all people, holding space for diverse emotions, cultures, identities, abilities, and religious beliefs. They support patients, families, and staff in drawing upon their spiritual, religious, emotional, and cultural resources, as well as their personal values to navigate life’s most meaningful moments in the health care setting.
At UConn Health, I am now joined by the Rev. Fr. Alex Abraham. Together, with the help of per diem chaplains for nights and weekends, they serve as our dedicated spiritual care specialists on the health care team. Our chaplains are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Outside of those hours, please call the operators.
The Rev. Fr. Alex Abraham
Fr. Alex is an ordained priest of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Syrian Church and currently serves as vicar and president of St. Thomas Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church in Newington. He also served providing spiritual care as a chaplain at AccentCare Hospice. Fr. Alex holds a BA in psychology from Rutgers University, an M.Div. from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, and a GST from the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Kottayam, India. A fluent Malayalam speaker with working knowledge of Hindi, Fr. Alex brings patience, enthusiasm, and strong leadership to every pastoral and clinical context he serves.
Whether discussing life and death, purpose, or meaning, Chaplain Alex and I are happy to provide compassionate connection and emotional support for all. The Murray-Heilig Chapel (TM202) is open to everyone, and outside spiritual visitors are always welcome.
You can reach Fr. Alex at alabraham@uchc.edu or 860-679-8695, and me at dwarriner@uchc.edu or 860-679-3230, and either of us through Voalte.
—The Rev. Daniel D. Warriner, UConn Health Chaplain
Hospital ‘Spirit’ Days
Spiritual Care Week 2025
Sunday, Oct. 19: Show Some Spirit Sunday
Start off SPIRITual care week by showing your UConn Spirit and wear your UConn gear!
Monday, Oct. 20: Mickey Mouse Monday
Hot Dog! It’s DISNEY DAY! Wear something that would make Mickey Mouse smile! (Right: Staff from University Tower third floor take part in Mickey Mouse Monday.)
Break out your boldest and most beautiful patterns! (Right: Staff from University Tower third floor take part in Polka Dots and Patterns Tuesday.)
Wednesday, Oct. 22: Wild West Wednesday
Yeehaw! Grab a cowboy hat and boots, bandana, or western themed scrubs! (Modeled again by our UT3 staff, far right)
Jazz up your day with necklaces, hats, fun bows, and cool glasses! (More from UT3!)
Friday, Oct. 24: Freaky Friday
Wear your most festive Halloween or fall colors! (Michelle Masters and Deisy Velez from UT3, far right)
Saturday, Oct. 25: I’m in STITCHES Saturday
Wear something silly, fun, or surprising to have a laugh!