A Path to Healing: Chaplaincy's Transformative Role in Addiction Recovery at Ogden Regional Medical Center
In the Alcohol and Chemical Treatment (ACT) Program at Ogden Regional Medical Center, patients receive compassionate, comprehensive care that addresses every dimension of their healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual. As patients walk the difficult road toward sobriety and self-renewal, the program’s holistic approach ensures they are never alone on the journey.
One key member of this care team is ECS Chaplain Jackie Ostler, whose deep commitment and quiet strength have made her a beloved and essential presence in the ACT program. For more than a decade, Jackie has walked alongside patients facing some of life’s most profound challenges. Twice a week, she facilitates spirituality groups designed to help participants reconnect with meaning, faith, and a sense of personal worth.
Her group sessions begin with a gentle invitation: a reading or quote from someone who has walked the road of addiction and recovery. These reflections open the door to deeper conversation. “I’ve seen a lot of success with patients who come in feeling lost and with little hope,” Jackie explains. “Through these weekly spirituality meetings, alongside the recovery process, I’ve seen people begin to change and find meaning for themselves again. They often reconnect with an old belief system or discover something new to build a foundation for their lives.”
“Our patients begin to recognize that they need to forgive themselves, which is often the hardest step. Many also seek forgiveness from God, or explore forgiveness in their relationships with others.”
ECS Chaplain Jackie Ostler
Ogden Regional Medical Center
Jackie creates a safe and open space where patients feel empowered to speak openly about their experiences, their pain, and their hopes. Topics like forgiveness often rise to the surface.
What makes Jackie’s care especially powerful is the trust she builds through authenticity. Having experienced her own share of life’s hardships, she meets patients not as an expert from above, but as a compassionate companion. For those who want to delve deeper, Jackie is available for individual sessions where patients can continue their personal spiritual exploration in privacy and with full support.
Patients frequently say that the spirituality group is one of the most meaningful parts of the ACT program. They respond with gratitude to Jackie’s presence, her gentleness, and the way she helps them discover a renewed sense of self.
“I’m excited that two of our patients are graduating this weekend,” she shared recently. “Both have made wonderful progress, and both are reconnecting with their belief systems. That foundation gives them strength and tools for what lies ahead.”
ECS is honored to provide this kind of spiritual care not only at Ogden Regional, but at hospitals across the region—including Lakeview Hospital, St. Mark’s Hospital, and Mountain View Hospital in Payson. Together, we witness every day how love, faith, and meaning can support true recovery—and how chaplaincy makes all the difference.
