Two appointed to University Hospital spiritual care staff

The Rev. David J. James and Monica Czechowicz have been appointed Roman Catholic chaplains at University Hospital. As members of the hospital's spiritual care staff, James, and Czechowicz will offer spiritual guidance and support to University Hospital patients and staff.

In addition to his appointment to University Hospital, James also serves as part-time chaplain at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Previously, James served as pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Pompey from February 1998 to July 2004. He has served as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church in Cicero and at St. John the Baptist in Syracuse. Before being ordained, James was a caseworker with the Onondaga County Department of Social Services.

James, ordained in 1991, earned a bachelor's degree from LeMoyne College in 1981 and a master's degree in pastoral theology from Christ the King School of Theology in East Aurora, N.Y., in 1990.

Czechowicz of Camillus has served as a chaplain at Crouse Hospital and at Seton Medical Center in Daly City, Calif. She was director of volunteers at St. Mary's Hospital in Brooklyn and was an elementary school teacher. She earned a bachelor's degree at Dominican College in Racine, Wisc.,in 1968 and a master's degree from Marywood College in Scranton, Pa., in 1973.

James and Czechowicz are both certified by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.