The Doctor and the Chaplain: Healing Beyond Medicine

A Conversation with Dr. Jessica Zitter

What happens when a physician learns that healing involves more than medicine?

In this episode of Exit Strategy, Stephanie Garry speaks with Dr. Jessica Zitter—critical care physician, author, filmmaker, and advocate for compassionate end-of-life care—about her powerful documentary, The Chaplain & The Doctor.

The film chronicles Dr. Zitter’s transformative relationship with hospital chaplain Betty Clark, whose approach to spiritual care challenged and ultimately expanded Dr. Zitter’s understanding of what patients and families need most. Together, they explore the intersection of medicine, spirituality, compassion, and human connection.

Stephanie and Dr. Zitter discuss the lessons she learned from Chaplain Clark, the importance of listening, addressing suffering beyond physical symptoms, and how healthcare professionals can better support patients and families facing serious illness.
The Chaplain & The Doctor is currently touring theaters across the country, with a Los Angeles screening scheduled for June 11 and additional dates being added regularly.

About Dr. Jessica Zitter
Dr. Jessica Zitter is a critical care and palliative care physician, filmmaker, author, and founder of Reel Medicine Media. She is widely known for her work advocating for more humane, patient-centered care and was featured in the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated documentary Extremis. She is also the author of Extreme Measures, which chronicles her own transformation as a physician and her commitment to improving end-of-life care.

chaplainandthedoctor.com
https://reelmedicinemedia.org/chaplain
plazajewishcommunitychapel.org

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