Photo credit: Mainframe Photographics

The Brigham community and Spiritual Care Services mourn the loss of Bishop Enos Gardiner, MA, BCC, who passed away on Dec. 6 following an illness. He was 65.

For the past 14 years, Bishop Gardiner was a staff chaplain in Spiritual Care Services. While Bishop Gardiner served the entire hospital, he was the dedicated chaplain for Braunwald Tower 15ABCD, a Surgical Intermediate Care Unit, and 3BC, the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU).

Bishop Gardiner began his career at the Brigham as a chaplain resident from 2004 to 2005. After completing his training, he was hired as a staff chaplain and remained at the Brigham. Over that time, he supported countless individuals during the most difficult times in their lives. He was also part of joyful moments, such as patient weddings.

Kathleen Gallivan, PhD, director of Spiritual Care, said she will miss her colleague’s presence and willingness to always go the extra mile.

“Bishop Gardiner was such an integral part of our department and the Brigham,” Gallivan said. “He often would bring in a perspective that was missing and would see things from a different angle, which I very much admired about him. He is greatly loved and missed, and he will forever be a part of our Brigham family.”

A native of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bishop Gardiner grew up in the Bahamas. He became an ordained minister in 1974 and a bishop in 1984. In addition to his role at the Brigham, he served as a pastor at the Church of God of Prophecy, Inc. in Roxbury, since 1990.

Bishop Gardiner loved teaching and mentoring, Gallivan said, and always looked forward to spending time with patients and their families.

“He had the biggest heart and the kindest soul,” Gallivan said. “He would do anything for anyone. I could always count on him, and I know so many of his colleagues and patients felt the same way.”

Leo F. Buckley Jr., executive director of Business Operations for Patient Care Services and Nursing, described Bishop Gardiner as a kind, compassionate and spiritual colleague.

“Enos had a contagious smile that comforted staff at all levels of the Brigham community, leaving lasting impressions and friendships,” Buckley said. “He touched so many lives during his time at the Brigham, and we’ll be forever grateful for all of his contributions.”

As the chaplain for Braunwald Tower 15ABCD, Bishop Gardiner would visit the floor twice a day to meet with patients, their families and the unit’s staff. Jennefer Trowers-Smith, RN, a nurse on Braunwald Tower 15CD, worked alongside Bishop Gardiner for a decade. She said it has been hard not seeing her cherished colleague and friend come around the corner each day to greet patients and staff.

“He had this amazing smile, and when you saw it you couldn’t help but smile too,” she said. “There is such a big void in my heart without him here. He was warm, friendly, understanding, patient and kind.”

Hasna Hakim, DNP, MSN, RN, CCRN, MICU nurse director, always looked forward to Bishop Gardiner’s visits.

“He was a wonderful, supportive colleague who understood the importance of teamwork,” she said.

Bishop Gardiner graduated from Mississippi Baptist Seminary in 1984. In 2000, he graduated from the Urban Fellows Program at Harvard University’s School of Divinity. He held a master’s degree in urban ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston and an associate certification with the Association of Professional Chaplains.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, also an ordained minister; daughter, Cecile Wilson, and son-in-law, Marlon; and two grandsons, Naeem and Amari.

Bishop Gardiner’s funeral will take place on Jan. 4 in the Bahamas. The Brigham will hold a memorial service for him in January.

Home