Spiritual Care Manager

Rev. Moneka A. Thompson is an ordained minister in the AME Zion (African Methodist Episcopal Zion) Church. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Alabama State University in 1998 and worked with several organizations in Montgomery, AL. She completed her Master of Science in Justice and Public Safety from Auburn University at Montgomery in 2001 and worked in corrections and reentry programs in Alabama and North Carolina. She received her Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, North Carolina (2007) and completed her Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) internship and residency training at Emory University Center for Pastoral Services, Atlanta, Georgia (2007-2008).

During her time at Emory, she trained with the Hematology and Oncology patient populations, learning how to offer pastoral support to persons with terminal and debilitating illnesses. She began her journey with UAB Medicine in March 2009 as the Oncology Chaplain and became a Board Certified Chaplain in October 2011 with the Association of Professional Chaplains. From January 2013 to December 2014, she served as a Program Manager with the IMCCP program, which is based out of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.

In 2015, she became the Staff Chaplain assigned to the Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital, where she primarily saw oncology patients. In May of 2019, she was awarded a Medical Excellence Award by UAB Medicine. This award is given to healthcare professionals who embody exemplary core values, service and outstanding care. In December 2019, she completed her Master of Counseling degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She graduated after completing a Counseling Internship with the UAB Community Counseling Clinic, which utilized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Systems Theory to assist clients grappling with traumatic histories, struggling with depression and overwhelmed by anxiety. In November 2022, she became the Spiritual Care Manager with the Center for Palliative and Supportive Care based out of the UAB Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care. In this role, she provides counseling to inpatient and outpatient populations facing serious illnesses, spiritual support to patients, staff and caregivers and program manager support for the African American Communities Speak program. In January 2023, she became an Associate Licensed Counselor in the state of Alabama.

Contact

Email: mthompso@uab.edu
Phone: 205-934-2902