Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Cultural Competency Presentations
Continuing Education
Publications
Recommendations
Work Preference
Work Availability
Additional Information
Timeline
Hi, I’m

MARY LAHAJ

Writer
Lowell,MA
MARY LAHAJ

Summary

Immigration Business Professional

I have thirteen (13) years of experience writing visa petitions for approval by USCIS, including EB-1s, O-1s, HHS research waivers, and National Interest Waivers (NIW). I collaborated with a team of legal experts at a law firm in Boston, MA, and worked with foreign nationals (FNs), achieving a proven track record of success. Additionally, I provided compassionate client

service.

My publications include memoirs, songs, magazines, peer-reviewed journals, newspaper articles, a website, a thesis, and a book chapter.

Specialist in Document and Data Control for ISO 9001 TÜV Certification

Authored Level I, II, III, and IV documents and designed Quality System templates, including engineering vellum designs, filing system, revision control, policies, procedures, training manual, and job descriptions for an electronics engineering company. Professional with high standards and strong results.

Advisor and Chaplain

Experienced in providing spiritual guidance and emotional support to diverse populations, utilizing a deep understanding of religious practices and counseling techniques to aid individuals in distress. Known for effectively guiding individuals through personal struggles and orchestrating impactful community events. Reliable team collaborator with adaptability to meet changing needs. Proficient in crisis intervention, empathetic communication, and community outreach.

Overview

13

Years Professional Freelance Writer

2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Multi-faith Chaplain
05.2008

Job overview

  • Company Overview: Selective Chaplains Residency Program & Certificate (Mass General Brigham)
  • Visited at least 60 patients a day
  • Conducted family meetings and family care, patient visits, and staff care.
  • Worked alone as an on-call chaplain for the entire hospital of more than 780 beds.
  • Each day consisted of 30 hours of clinical work and 10 hours of classroom where we learned new skills and received feedback on our own experiences.
  • Visited patients in areas including Emergency, Pre-operative, Maternity, and ICU.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for holistic patient care, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
  • Met with individuals, discussed issues compassionately, and determined the appropriate type of involvement to meet spiritual needs.
  • Comforted family members, offered attentive listening, and a high level of emotional support.
  • Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
  • Provided compassionate pastoral care in emergency departments, addressing the spiritual needs of patients experiencing acute distress or trauma.
  • Delivered comforting presence during end-of-life situations, offering prayers and rituals to honor the patient''s beliefs and values.
  • Applied knowledge regarding crisis interventions to assist in emergency situations.
  • Researched and prepared materials used in Bible study and daily devotions.
  • Evaluated effectiveness of pastoral care initiatives through regular feedback from staff members, adjusting strategies as needed for optimal results.
  • Offered mediation services between family members navigating challenging dynamics related to healthcare decisions.
  • Built strong relationships with local faith-based organizations to create a network of resources for patients and families.
  • Advocated for ethical decision-making in clinical settings by participating in medical ethics committees and case consultations.
  • Served as a trusted resource on religious traditions, customs, practices across various faiths within the hospital setting.
  • Promoted staff well-being by organizing and leading spiritual retreats focused on self-care and renewal.
  • Enhanced patient morale with regular bedside visits and compassionate counseling.
  • Educated community members on various spiritual practices, encouraging diversity and inclusiveness.
  • Guided individuals through end-of-life decision making, offering comfort and clarity during difficult times.
  • Assisted in conflict resolution within community, promoting peace and harmony.
  • Offered spiritual guidance to individuals facing life challenges, contributing to their personal growth and resilience.
  • Provided grief counseling, easing emotional distress of families during times of loss.
  • Tailored spiritual support to individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity and respect for all beliefs.
  • Coordinated with local charities to organize fundraising events, supporting community projects and initiatives.
  • Collaborated with healthcare teams to ensure holistic care, addressing patients' spiritual needs alongside their medical treatment.

Saint Vincent Hospital

Multi-faith Chaplain
06.2006 - 09.2025

Job overview

  • Provided spiritual guidance, emotional support, and direct care to residents, family members and staff.
  • Visited 40 patients a day in Maternity, ICU, and Emergency departments.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for holistic patient care, addressing physical and emotional needs.
  • Met with individuals, discussed issues compassionately, and determined the appropriate type of involvement to meet spiritual needs.
  • Developed relationships with patients and families, resulting in increased trust and rapport during difficult times.
  • Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
  • Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
  • Offered mediation services between family members navigating challenging dynamics related to healthcare decisions.
  • Served as a trusted resource on religious traditions, customs, practices across various faiths within the hospital setting.
  • Enhanced patient morale with regular bedside visits and compassionate counseling.
  • Educated community members on various spiritual practices, encouraging diversity and inclusiveness.
  • Tailored spiritual support to individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity and respect for all beliefs.
  • Collaborated with healthcare teams to ensure holistic care, addressing patients' spiritual needs alongside their medical treatment.

Groton School

Multi-faith Chaplain
01.2005 - 01.2012

Job overview

  • Provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and direct care to students and staff.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for holistic student care, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
  • Initiated religious events that represented the cohort of students I advised.
  • Met with individuals, discussed issues compassionately and determined appropriate type of involvement to meet spiritual needs.
  • Provided spiritual care through counseling and prayer.
  • Developed relationships with students and staff resulting in increased trust and rapport during difficult times.
  • Lectured in multiple departments on how to provide specific spiritual care meeting the needs of relgiously diverse students.

Simmons University

Multi-faith Chaplain
01.2008 - 01.2010

Job overview

  • Company Overview: Office of Spiritual Life
  • Provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and direct care to students and staff.
  • Lectured in the following departments on meeting the needs of religiously diverse students: Nursing School, School of Social Work, International Studies, Women's Studies, and Alumni Relations.
  • Provided students with dietary needs at two locations in the college.
  • Conducted a Needs Assessment which resulted in building a new prayer space on campus.
  • Updated the student website.
  • Advised the college's Student Association.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for holistic student care, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
  • Met with individuals, discussed issues compassionately and determined appropriate type of involvement to meet spiritual needs.
  • Provided spiritual care through counseling and prayer.
  • Developed relationships with students and staff, resulting in increased trust and rapport during difficult times.

Education

Hartford Seminary (now Hartford International University)
Hartford, CT

M.A. from Religious Studies (focus: Islam and Christian/Muslim Relations)
10.1992

University Overview

UMASS
Amherst, MA

B.A. from Sociology, Education/Psychology
01.1970

University Overview

Skills

  • Ability to be open and accepting in serving patients/families of differing faiths
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Ability to function well under pressure
  • Represents a culture of ethical conduct
  • Collaborates effectively with teams
  • Family mediation
  • Religious education
  • Teaching

Cultural Competency Presentations

Cultural Competency Presentations
Harvard Medical School, Boston University Medical School, Mental Health Symposium, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Grand Rounds (nurses continuing education credits), Rhode Island College, School of Social Work, Providence, RI, @Simmons University, Boston, MA, School of Nursing, Alumni Relations, International Education (for the 5-college consortium, Boston), School of Social Work, Diversity in the Workplace, United Auto Workers, Diversity Training, Chicago, IL, Brookfield Institute, Interfaith Workshop, Brookfield, MA, Harvard Divinity School, First Muslim Woman Chaplain, Harvard University, Comparative Religion, Harvard Divinity Career Services, So You Want to be a Chaplain, Andover Newton Theological School, World Religions, Hebrew College (and High School, Prozdor), Greater Boston Buddhist Center, Cambridge, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA, Spiritual Healing

Continuing Education

Continuing Education
  • Post-Graduate Certificate, History of the Middle East, Harvard University Extension School, Cambridge, MA
  • Beginning Arabic, private tutor
  • Beginning Spanish, University of Valencia, Spain

Publications

Publications
  • End-of-Life Care and the Chaplain’s Role on the Medical Team, Journal of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (JIMA), 43, 173, 2011
  • End-of-Life Care and the Chaplain's Role on the Medical Team, NIH.GOV
  • Blessing a Catholic Newborn, Fountain magazine, 05/01/15
  • Contemplative Practices: A Comparative Perspective on Different Faith Traditions, Fountain magazine, 05/01/13
  • Bird on a Wire, Book publication, Amazon Kindle E-book and Paperback, 2024, www.birdonawirebook.com
  • Making it up as I go along: The Formation of a Muslim Chaplain, Reflective Practice: Formation and Supervision in Ministry, Herbert Anderson, 29, 2009
  • My Trip to Turkey, Zaman Newspaper (Turkish online), 05/01/07
  • Composed music and wrote lyrics for songs published by Paul Simon’s publisher, NYC

Recommendations

Recommendations
Available upon request

Work Preference

Work Type

Part Time

Work Location

Hybrid

Important To Me

Company CultureFlexible work hoursWork from home optionTeam Building / Company Retreats
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse

Additional Information

Additional Information

I have first-hand experience as an agent of Document and Data Control. Achieved ISO 9001 TÜV Certification as author of Document and Data Control, including Level I, II, III, and IV documents. I designed and created Quality System templates, including engineering vellum designs, a new filing system, revision control, policies, procedures, training manuals, and job descriptions for Renaissance Electronics Engineering in Harvard, MA.

Timeline

Multi-faith Chaplain
Simmons University
01.2008 - 01.2010
Multi-faith Chaplain
Saint Vincent Hospital
06.2006 - 09.2025
Multi-faith Chaplain
Groton School
01.2005 - 01.2012
Hartford Seminary (now Hartford International University)
M.A. from Religious Studies (focus: Islam and Christian/Muslim Relations)
UMASS
B.A. from Sociology, Education/Psychology
Multi-faith Chaplain
Brigham & Women’s Hospital
05.2008
MARY LAHAJWriter