Foster Simmons

For over thirty years, I have had the privilege of walking alongside people in some of the most profound moments of their lives; at bedsides in intensive care units, in the quiet of palliative wards, in the grief of families saying goodbye, and in the joy of communities coming together in faith and service. This work is not just what I do. It is who I am.

I am an experienced and passionate Pastoral Counselor and Spiritual Health Therapist, trained in Religious traditions as well as Psychotherapy, Mindfulness and Dealing with Human Emotions. I strive to uphold a commitment to life-changing ministry and effective counseling by using a variety of integrated approaches in behavioral and personality development theories, always striving to provide every client with a unique approach, quality, and absolute dedication. My journey has taken me from founding the first Moravian Church in Grenada, BethShalom, to serving as a Spiritual Health Therapist at the William Osler Health System in Ontario, where I supported patients across Mental Health, Palliative Care, Labour and Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care, and the ICU.

In that ICU, I had the opportunity to collaborate with physicians on a clinical study examining the role of spiritual care in holistic patient treatment. It is a reminder that pastoral care and clinical care are not opposites, but partners. Whether I am supporting a resident through dementia, advocating for a patient who believes no one is listening, or leading a congregation in mission and service across North America, I bring the same pastoral presence and spiritual awareness in a relational, compassionate, and deeply human way.

I believe every person deserves to be met with dignity, and that is the commitment I carry into every room I enter.

Chaplain - Mill Creek Care Centre

(2020-09 - 2025-03)

• Provided ongoing spiritual and pastoral care to residents in a long-term care environment
• Supported residents and families through grief, loss, illness, and end-of-life
• Planned and facilitated worship services including Multifaith Memorial
• Offered one-to-one emotional and spiritual support to residents, families, and staff — including during times of stress and loss especially during the Covid 19 Pandemic
• Provided Dementia & Cognitive Care Support
• Participated in interdisciplinary care planning and resident-centred approaches
• Maintained accurate documentation/charting and upheld confidentiality standards

Pastoral Counselor & Spiritual Health Therapist - William Osler Health System

(2013-05 - 2020-09)

Served as a counselor and therapist across various units — Mental Health, Care for the Elderly, Palliative Care, Labour and Delivery, Postpartum and Neonatal Intensive Care, Rehab and Intensive Care. Within the ICU, I collaborated with physicians on a clinical study examining the role of spiritual care in comprehensive patient treatment and its effects on patients' families.

• Provided interfaith spiritual care across hospital and mental health settings
• Provided pastoral presence during one-on-one interactions in a very relational and compassionate manner
• A dedicated advocate for patients who believed their concerns might go unheard
• Upheld clear, ethical standards in MAiD-related matters

Pastor - New Dawn Moravian Church - Toronto

(2008-06)

Effectively manage the pastoral functions of the 200-member New Dawn Moravian Church in Toronto, Canada — overseeing Mission and Evangelism, Christian Education, Health and Wellness, and Social Life.

• Serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors (fourteen members); manage a team of three employees and chair all members' and council meetings
• Represent the congregation at District and Provincial Synods across North America; act as liaison with government agencies, NGOs, and Ecumenical Bodies
• Collaborated with Toronto Police 13th Division on youth crime prevention; patron and supporter of Youth Without Shelter in Etobicoke

Pastor - Moravian Church — Tobago Conference and Grenada, EWI Province

(1999-07 - 2008-06)

• Founded and established the first Moravian Church, BethShalom, in the Windward Island of Grenada
• Established the Youth on Fire Outreach group, facilitating mission, evangelism, and outreach throughout the Caribbean
• Designed and conducted evangelism and outreach training programs for congregation members

BA - Theology - University of West Indies (1995 - 1999)

Diploma - Ministerial Training - United Theological College of the West Indies (1995 - 1999)

Certificates - Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Basic & Advanced - University of Toronto / William Osler Health System (2013 - 2018)