Chaplain Leadership, Bioethics, and Inclusive Care with Rev. Inetta A. Reddell

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Episode: Chaplain Leadership, Bioethics, and Inclusive Care with Rev. Inetta A. Reddell
Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Rev. Inetta Aurelia Riddell, Pastoral Care Coordinator, Charterhouse at Mayo Clinic Retirement Living; Former President, Association of Professional Chaplains (APC)

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Overview

This episode features an insightful conversation with Rev. Inetta Riddell, a pioneering chaplain leader and advocate for inclusive, interfaith spiritual care in healthcare. As the first woman of color to serve as President of the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), Rev. Riddell discusses her leadership journey, the challenges of fostering diversity, and her vision for the future of chaplaincy. She also shares wisdom for aspiring leaders and highlights the importance of bioethics, legacy, and authentic connection in healthcare spiritual care.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Rev. Riddell’s Background and Motivation for Leadership

[02:30]

• Rev. Riddell was motivated by a desire to amplify diverse voices within APC.
• Her identity as a woman of color shaped her “resilience and commitment to inclusivity.”
• Leadership, to her, means “creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.”
• Inspired by civil rights history and Black History Month, she feels a strong sense of legacy and purpose.
• Recalling her inspiration, she shares:
  “I once went to a joint conference ... where I saw so many people that looked like me and I was hooked from the word go. They were my heroes.” [03:41]
• Her background in bioethics, legal studies, and theology offers a multidisciplinary lens that “emphasizes the sanctity of human rights and spirits.”

The Role and Diversity of the Association of Professional Chaplains

[05:46]

• APC certifies chaplains of various faiths, denominations, and sectors once they complete training.
• APC partners with organizations such as the Association of Jewish Chaplains and the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, making it “a very diverse organization, meaning that it is interfaith.” [09:26]
• Diversity efforts often encounter resistance due to discomfort with change.

Facing and Overcoming Leadership Challenges

[05:46]

• Rev. Riddell faced challenges, particularly when leading diversity initiatives and change management.
  • Resistance often stemmed from “people [who] feel threatened by change.”
  • She overcame this with “transparent communication, actively seeking input from stakeholders at all levels.”
  • Emphasized open forums, sharing data, and collaborative trust-building.
• She also experienced cultural biases and direct opposition as a woman of color in leadership.
  • Encounters with “discounting, dismissive and demeaning decorum in professional environments.”
• Her resilience was anchored by radical self-care and creative outlets: “I turned to music, fashion and dance because that was my outlet to maintain my mental health and resilience. Resilience.” [08:37]
• She responded to professional dismissiveness by “advocating dignity, respect, and sensibility.”

Advice for Emerging Leaders, Especially Women of Color

[10:06]

• Embrace your identity and perspectives as strengths.
• Always have authentic presence; don’t use technology to shield yourself from real human connection: “If you are going to be an emerging leader, you have to fully be present and not judgmental. Rejecting the modern tendency to use technology as a shield from genuine human interaction.” [10:12]
• Build a supportive network of mentors and allies.
• Use obstacles as opportunities for growth and support.
• Prioritize solidarity and community-building, even online:
  “I cannot emphasize the importance of solidarity, using platforms like social media to inspire others and foster a sense of shared journey.” [11:10]
• Speak up for yourself; don’t allow your story or identity to be devalued.
• Leadership is a lifelong learning journey:
  “Be open to feedback, adapt when necessary, and stay true to your values as you navigate your path.” [11:40]

The Future of Chaplain Leadership and Healthcare Spiritual Care

[12:29]

• Leaders must ensure technology facilitates rather than hinders true connection: “A future where technology is not used as a shield to hide behind, but where leaders prioritize genuine human connection.” [12:30]
• Ministries—and chaplaincy at large—should focus on active listening and refuse complacency.
• Bioethics will be increasingly important, requiring empathy and ethical judgment: “The future of chaplaincy as a noble calling that must integrate empathy with ethical theories to make a tangible impact on lives.” [12:55]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What motivated me to pursue leadership ... stemmed from a desire to amplify diverse voices and perspectives within our organization.”
  — Rev. Riddell [02:30]

• “Cultural biases and direct objections from individuals who don't support women, especially women of color in leadership roles... How I overcame this rudeness was by focusing on radical self care and creative expression.”
  — Rev. Riddell [07:59]

• “Your voice matters and can pave the way for others. Do not allow your unique stories or identities to be devalued by others.”
  — Rev. Riddell [11:21]

• “Leadership is a journey filled with learning experiences. Be open to feedback, adapt when necessary, and stay true to your values as you navigate your path.”
  — Rev. Riddell [11:40]

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Important Timestamps

• 01:38: Rev. Riddell introduces herself and clarifies her views are personal
• 02:30: Leadership motivations and influence of identity, legacy
• 05:46: The structure and diversity of APC; challenges faced
• 08:20: Strategies for resilience and self-care in leadership
• 10:06: Advice for aspiring leaders, especially women of color
• 12:29: Vision for the future of chaplain leadership and integrating bioethics

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Closing Thoughts

Rev. Inetta Riddell’s conversation is a powerful reflection on inclusive leadership, the crucial role of self-care, and the necessity of authentic, ethical connection in healthcare. Her guidance is especially resonant for women of color and anyone seeking to foster empathy, community, and innovation in spiritual care.

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Transcript

[A]

Every year, Becker's annual meeting brings healthcare leaders together to unpack the most pressing issues facing the industry. And every year those conversations shift in profound and unexpected ways. This April, more than 3,500 healthcare executives will return to Chicago for Becker's 16th annual meeting. 795 elite speakers will offer new lessons, new case studies and predictions about what comes next. Join us April 13th through the 16th. For the agenda and event details, visit Beckershospitalview.com and click on the Events tab in the upper right.

[B]

This is Scott Becker with the Becker's Healthcare Podcast. We are thrilled today to be joined by a very special guest. We're joined today by someone who's had this fascinating career at the intersection of pastoral care and healthcare and more. We're joined by Reverend Ineta Riddell and Reverend Riddell serves as the Pastoral Care Coordinator at Charterhouse Mayo Clinic Retirement Living Another thing before we get started that you should know about Reverend Riddell is she was the first woman of color to serve as the President of the association of Professional chaplains in its 80 year plus history when she started to serve as president, and she'll talk to us today about some of the challenges she's faced, what the APC does, some advice for emerging leaders, and a lot more. Reverend Riddell, can you take a moment to introduce yourself?

[C]

Yes, My name is Reverend Ineta Aurelia Riddell. I am currently the Pastoral Coordinator for Charterhouse at Mayo Clinic's Retirement Living and I am the former President of APC and I want to state up front that my views are not those of my employers or apc, but solely my own.

[B]

Reverend Riddell, thank you again for joining us. Can you take a moment to tell us about what motivated you to take a leadership role within the association of Professional Chaplains and how has your background shaped your approach and thoughts about leadership?

[C]

What motivated me to pursue leadership within my role of APC and how it has shaped my background was stemmed from a desire to amplify diverse voices and perspectives within our organization. You know, growing up as a woman of color, I face challenges that I'm sure many others can relate to, which instilled in me a sense of resilience and a commitment to inclusivity. I believe that leadership is not just about guiding others, but also about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. By drawing on my experiences, I aim to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, ensuring that we address all the needs of our members and the communities that we served. As I reflect especially thinking through this month being that It's Black History Month. I can't help but to think that I was also driven by a sense of legacy and purpose, specifically influenced by the history of the Civil Rights movement and the resilience of those who came before me. You know, I once went to a joint conference thrown by ACPE and RIM and apc. I kind of touched on this during my presidential speech during the APC conference where I saw so many people that looked like me and I was hooked from the word go. They were my heroes. The collective wisdom in that room was so inspirational, it encouraged me to pursue leadership, foster unity and empathy across racial and cultural boundaries. My background in bioethics, legal studies and theology provides, I think, a multidisciplinary lens that emphasizes the sanctity of human rights and spirits. And for me, I think I approach leadership with an open heart, acknowledging diverse perspectives when they conflict with my own.

[B]

Thank you. And could you take a moment, tell us a little bit about the association of Professional Chaplains. Tell us a little bit about that. And then I want to ask you a little bit about a specific challenge that you faced during your tenure or being a chaplain and how you overcame that challenge. But tell us a little bit about the apc, the association of Professional Chaplains, because many people on the healthcare podcast may not be as familiar.

[C]

So the association of Professional Chaplains is an organization that support chaplains in various sectors, that comes from various denominations, people from various sectors, and we certify chaplains once they get their training from various organizations. And one of the significant challenges that I encountered was navigating the complexities of change management while implementing new initiatives aimed at increasing diversity within our organization. Resistance often arises when people feel threatened by change. And to overcome this, I prioritize transparent communication, actively seeking input from stakeholders at all levels. APC has strategic partners being the association of Jewish Chaplains, national association of Catholic Chaplains, the Canadian Chaplains, et cetera. And I held open forums and discussed concerns and shared data that highlighted the the benefits of diversity. By building trust and demonstrating the positive impacts of these initiatives, we were able to move forward collaboratively, resulting in a more inclusive APC that reflects the communities that we serve. Cultural biases and direct objections from individuals who don't support women, especially women of color and leadership roles encountered a trend of what I experience of discounting dismissive and demeaning decorum in professional environments where colleagues often lacked basic acknowledgement of one another. How I overcame this rudeness was by focusing on radical self care and creative expression. And it begged the question for me, who takes care of of the chaplain and the educator as I was navigating my own personal issues. And so I turned to music, fashion and dance because that was my outlet and to maintain my mental health and resilience. Resilience. I leaned and countered professional dismissiveness by advocating dignity, respect and sensibility, refusing to let other biases diminish my personal narrative. And one thing that I will say about the APC is that there are some fine individuals within that organization. And what makes APC so unique is that it is a very diverse organization, meaning that it is interfaith.

[B]

And that's absolutely fantastic. I love that it's interfaith. And such an important thing today to have these interfaith dialogues. So important, so incredible what you do. Reverend, what advice would you give to aspiring leaders, particularly women of color who are trying to carve out their paths in fields? What advice do you give to emerging leaders?

[C]

My advice to aspiring leaders, especially women of color, is to embrace your unique identity and perspectives as strengths rather than obstacles to make sure you always, always, always have authentic presence. You know if you are going to be an emerging leader, you have to fully be present and not judgmental. Rejecting the modern tendency to use technology as a shield from genuine human interaction, surround yourself with mentors and allies who are going to uplift you and provide guidance. It's essential to cultivate a strong network and seek opportunities for professional development. I encourage aspiring leaders to roll their sleeves up and walk alongside people in both joy and sorrow, using obstacles as opportunity to offer support rather than retreating from conflict. Use every opportunity to build community when you can. That's where learning, I think, is fostered. I cannot emphasize the importance of solidarity, using platforms like social media to inspire others and foster a sense of shared journey. Additionally, don't shy away from speaking up and advocating for yourself. Your voice matters and can pave the way for others. Do not allow your unique stories or identities to be devalued by others. And finally, remember that leadership is a journey filled with learning experiences. Be open to feedback, adapt when necessary, and stay true to your values as you navigate your path. Your contributions are invaluable and the world needs your leadership now more than ever.

[B]

Thank you. And how do you envision the leadership going forward and of the association of Professional Chaplains? And where can that have impact?

[C]

Well, I feel that a future where technology is not used as a shield to hide behind, but where leaders prioritize genuine human connection. Scott is our future leaders must prepare by cultivating space in their ministries. For others, focusing on active listening and the rejection of evasive or complacent professional cultures. Drawing from my bioethical background, I view the future of chaplaincy as a noble calling that must integrate empathy with ethical theories to make a tangible impact on lives.

[B]

Reverend, it is such a pleasure to visit with you today on the Beckers Healthcare Podcast. Just a remarkable background and leadership career. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with us today and

[C]

thank you so much for having me.