Nafees Islahi

Compassionate and dedicated multilingual spiritual care professional with 27 years of ministry experience serving as an Imam, Minister, Spiritual Guide, and Counselor since 1998. Provides empathetic support to patients, families, staff, and community members across diverse faith traditions. Fluent in English, Arabic, Urdu, and Punjabi, enabling effective communication in multicultural environments.

Experienced in Trauma, ICU, Psychiatry, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, and other acute and long-term clinical settings, contributing to holistic, patient-centered care. Completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and certified in Palliative Care and Hospice services. Highly proficient in healthcare documentation and communication platforms including EPIC, Axxess, Cerner, Kinser, Pager, Simpler, TigerConnect, Home Health Notify, and PerfectServe.

Demonstrated ability to provide Islamic sermons, prayers, and rituals, and to offer spiritual and emotional support during critical and end-of-life situations. A published author and project contributor committed to promoting spiritual well-being. Skilled in Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, video creation, AI tools, and recognized for strong leadership, organization, and multitasking in fast-paced clinical environments.

Staff Chaplain - Corewell Health - MI, US

(2025-01)

• Provide religious and spiritual care and counsel for emotional and spiritual distress to patients, their families, associates, and others with attention to diverse spiritual orientations and cultures.
• Provide pastoral care to the local ministry and community through performing sacraments, rituals, blessings, and liturgies.
• Participate and collaborate with others in the delivery of holistic patient care.
• Build and maintain relationships with patients, families and associates through regular visitations and communication in order to create spiritual and religious connections.

Staff Chaplain - Henry Ford Health - MI, US

(2023-08)

• Provided spiritual care in Trauma1, Crisis Center, Emergency, ICU and other departments.
• Collaborated as an integral member of a multidisciplinary team, contributing to the holistic care of patients.
• Evaluated and addressed routine and critical care concerns of patients, families, and healthcare colleagues.
• Maintained accurate documentation of visits in EPIC, following the standards set by Spiritual Care Services.

Associate Chaplain - Angel Hospice - MI, US

(2023-11)

As a dedicated Hospice Chaplain at Angel Hospice, responsible for providing spiritual care services to patients and families/caregivers directly or through coordination with other spiritual counselors. Role involves conducting timely spiritual assessments, participating in comprehensive assessments to develop individualized care plans, and delivering direct spiritual care. Serve as a liaison and support to community chaplains and spiritual counselors, maintaining records for quality assurance and program development.

Actively participate in interdisciplinary group meetings, patient care conferences, and provide consultation and education on spiritual care. Additionally, recruit and supervise community chaplains, spiritual counselors, and volunteers, ensuring their adequacy to meet patient and family needs. Also organize funeral or memorial services and plan periodic memorial services for personnel, volunteers, and community clergy involved in the hospice team.

Hospice Chaplain - Proactive Hospice Care - MI, US

(2023-11 - 2024-08)

As a Spiritual Counselor, provided tailored counseling to address the spiritual needs of patients, family members, and caregivers, aligning with individual beliefs and the patient's care plan. Conducted spiritual assessments within 5 days of patient admission, actively contributing to the development and implementation of interdisciplinary patient care plans with a focus on spiritual well-being. Role involved continuous support based on patient and family preferences, collaborating with local clergy as requested.

Meticulously maintained comprehensive clinical records, evaluated the effectiveness of spiritual counseling, and coordinated weekly visit schedules with patients' Case Managers. Actively participated in IDG and QAPI meetings, conducted religious services and offered bereavement support to patients and families. Additionally, managed the agency's volunteer program, developing and implementing training programs, and engaged in physical activities while utilizing various office equipment.

Provided funeral or memorial services upon request, committed to ongoing self-development through education, workshops, conferences, and active involvement in professional meetings.

Chaplain - University of Michigan Health - Ann Arbor, MI

(2022-09 - 2023-08)

Proficient in providing spiritual care in Trauma, Burn Intensive Care Unit (BICU), Burn Acute Care Unit (BACU), Adult Intermediate Care Unit, Neurosurgery Intensive Care (NICU), and Palliative Care settings.

• Compassionate and experienced Spiritual Care Advisor with a strong background in highly equitable and diverse multidisciplinary clinical settings, particularly in palliative care.
• Collaborated as an integral member of a multidisciplinary team, contributing to the holistic care of patients.
• Actively participated in the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program, adhering to department and ACPE standards, and completed units 2, 3, and 4.
• Maintained accurate documentation of visits in EPIC, following the standards set by Spiritual Care Services.
• Conducted Islamic sermons, prayers, and rituals for Muslim patients, staff, and families.

Chaplain - Henry Ford Allegiance Health/DMC Sinai Grace - Jackson & Detroit, MI

(2022-01 - 2022-05)

• Provided spiritual care in Trauma 1, Crisis Center, Emergency, and Gastroenterology departments.
• Collaborated as an integral member of a multidisciplinary team, contributing to the holistic care of patients.
• Actively participated in the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program, adhering to department and ACPE standards, and completed Unit 01 of CPE.
• Evaluated and addressed routine and critical care concerns of patients, families, and healthcare colleagues.
• Maintained accurate documentation of visits in EPIC, following the standards set by Spiritual Care Services.
• Conducted Islamic sermons, prayers, and rituals for Muslim patients, staff, and families on Fridays.
• Led Friday Sermon Circle, engaging with a group of 60+ staff members.

Spiritual Guide - Tawheed Center of Farmington Hills - MI, US

(2015-08)

• Meeting the spiritual needs of the Farmington Hills community
• Developed comprehensive literature on Tajweed, Arabic language, and vocabulary

Imam/Minister, Spiritual Guide, Counselor - Tawheed Center of Novi - MI, US

(2015-08 - 2017-11)

• Addressing the spiritual needs of the Muslim community in Novi.
• Serving as the Principal of weekend, weekday, summer, and adult learning schools.
• Conducting Islamic sermons, funerals, prayers, and rituals for Muslim families.
• Engaging in interfaith dialogues with other denominations and religions.

Imam/Minister, Spiritual Guide, Counselor - University of Madinah/Prophet's Mosque, Holy Places - Madinah, KSA

(2005-08 - 2015-08)

• Assisted visiting tourists, facilitated community meetings, and conducted research studies on historical literature and locations.
• Engaged with diverse audiences to enhance understanding of Islamic history.

Presenter at the Museum - University of Madinah - Al-Madina Museum, KSA

(2005-08 - 2015-08)

An extensive display of models, pictures, and regalia depicting the history during the life of the Prophet

Imam/Minister, Spiritual Guide, Counselor - International Islamic University - Islamabad, Pakistan

(2002-08 - 2005-08)

Part-Time Imam and Minister, University Mosque: Served for three years as an ordained minister while pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees. Provided sermons and spiritual guidance to the university community.

Associate Minister and Imam - Jamia Mosque Aziz Bhatti Town - Sargodha, Pakistan

(1998-08 - 2002-08)

Associate Minister and Imam: Served at the mosque founded by father, collaborating with the senior Imam to deliver sermons and provide spiritual guidance. Promoted to Organizer at age 19 after four years of dedicated part-time service.

Doctor of Ministry (DMin) - Ministry - Ecumenical Theological Seminary (2025-12)

Board Certified Chaplain - Chaplaincy - The Board of Chaplaincy Certification, Inc. (2024-10)

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Units 2, 3, and 4 - Pastoral Care - University of Michigan (2023)

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Unit 1 - Pastoral Care - Henry Ford Jackson Hospital (2023)

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mental Health - Mental Health - Oakland Community College (2021)

Master's degree in Theology - Theology - Islamic University of Madinah (2015)

Master's degree in Finance - Finance - The Global University of Islamic Finance (2021)

Master's Degree in Islamic Studies - Islamic Studies - University of Punjab (2007)

Bachelor's Degree in Finance - Finance - Wayne State University (2020)

Bachelor's Degree in Comparative Religion - Comparative Religion - International Islamic University (2007)

Bachelor's Degree in Islamic Studies - Islamic Studies - University of Punjab (2005)

Bachelor's Degree in Islamic Legal Studies - Legal Studies - Islamic University of Madinah (2009)

Associate in Business Administration - Business Administration - Oakland Community College (2019)

Diploma in Arabic language (3 years) - Arabic Language - International Islamic University (2005)