Dr. Beth Lenegan was recruited to Roswell Park to create the Spiritual Care Department in 1999. Through her work, she has turned an informal ministry into a vital interfaith community within the cancer center’s campus and beyond.

A nationally known expert in spiritual and palliative care, Dr. Lenegan holds a doctorate in Counselor Education and a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from the University at Buffalo. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Boston College Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry. She is a certified chaplain, as awarded by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC). Dr. Lenegan has been recently elected to serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the NACC.

Dr. Lenegan is a chaplain for the Red Cross Air Disaster Critical and Response Teams and is a member of the National Task Force for Spiritual Care.

She enjoys educating others and serves as an adjunct professor of religious studies at Buffalo State College. She is also a sought-after speaker and expert on spiritual care and religious studies.