VMP Healthcare and Community Living is proud to celebrate Reverend Meg Lybeck-Smoak, Director of Pastoral Care , who was recently recognized for her remarkable 25 years of ministry at the United Methodist Wisconsin Annual Conference in Madison.
The annual conference brings together United Methodist clergy and lay persons from across Wisconsin to worship together, celebrate ministry accomplishments, and plan for the year ahead. This year’s gathering was particularly meaningful for Rev. Meg, who not only received recognition for her quarter-century of service but also witnessed the ordination of nine new clergy members—eight of whom she had personally mentored or taught through Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs.
A Journey That Led Home
Rev. Meg’s ministry journey began in July 2000 when she accepted her first pastoral position at a United Methodist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After three years of service there, she returned to her hometown of Milwaukee, where her path would eventually lead her to VMP Healthcare and Community Living.
“I moved back to Milwaukee and served for one year as a CPE student chaplain at VMP,” Rev. Meg explained. “At that time, VMP had an active year-long CPE program, where I focused my ministry with residents and families at end-of-life and in hospice care.”
Following her chaplaincy training, she served for two years as pastor of a United Methodist Church in Milwaukee. However, her calling to healthcare ministry drew her back to VMP in July 2006, where she joined the staff as a chaplain. Six years later, in 2012, she was promoted to Director of Pastoral Care, a role she continues to fulfill with dedication and compassion.
Making a Lasting Impact
Throughout her tenure at VMP, Rev. Meg has touched countless lives across our continuum of care, including residents at Palmer House (assisted living and memory care), patients at Maplewood Health Center (skilled nursing and rehabilitation), and residents of Wesley Park independent living apartments. Her ministry extends beyond our campus through her work training and mentoring future clergy through CPE programs.
The fact that eight of the nine newly ordained clergy at this year’s conference had direct connections to Rev. Meg’s mentorship speaks volumes about her commitment to developing the next generation of pastoral caregivers. Her influence reaches far beyond VMP’s walls, shaping the future of healthcare ministry throughout Wisconsin and beyond.
A Commitment to Compassionate Care
Reverend Meg Lybeck-Smoak’s 25-year journey in ministry reflects VMP’s own commitment to whole-person care that addresses not just physical and emotional needs, but spiritual well-being as well. Her specialized focus on end-of-life and hospice care has brought comfort and peace to countless families during life’s most challenging moments.
As VMP continues to serve seniors across the full spectrum of care needs, from independent living to skilled nursing, the spiritual dimension that Rev. Meg provides remains an integral part of our comprehensive approach to senior care.
We congratulate Reverend Meg Lybeck-Smoak on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for her steadfast commitment to the residents, patients, and families we serve. Her quarter-century of ministry exemplifies the compassionate, person-centered care that defines VMP Healthcare and Community Living.