Published November 13, 2025
Working her way from a housekeeper to supervisor of Spiritual Care for L+M and Westerly hospitals was an impressive feat for Catherine Olokodana; today she’s quick to encourage others wondering whether they can do other things in life.
“Do not give up,” she said. “There’s nothing too hard. Keep trying. Get support around you. Try to find somebody to mentor you. And no matter what anyone says, no matter what you’ve been through, no matter what has happened in your life, you’re capable of being more.”
That positivity helped Olokodana overcome her own struggles. Born and raised in New London, Olokodana joined the U.S. Marine Corps after high school, but when she returned to civilian life, “I got turned around,” she said. “I suffered from addiction. It took years, but when I finally got myself cleaned up, I knew I was capable of doing more. I wanted to give back.”
Olokodana took her first L+M job 14 years ago, cleaning rooms for Environmental Services. What unfolded in the coming years is testament not only to her stick-to-itiveness but to her talent.
While working full time, Olokodana pursued a college associate’s degree online; she simultaneously earned a certified nursing assistant certificate so she could become a patient care assistant (PCA). She just kept going, earning her master’s in theology and taking a medical terminology course to become a health unit coordinator. Pieces continued to fall into place. She got married, and today Olokodana and her spouse are co-pastors at Missionary Church of Groton.
By this time, Olokodana knew she wanted to be a hospital chaplain. She started in that role about five years ago and has since earned a doctorate in theology and completed a rigorous clinical pastoral education program.
Overseeing a team of chaplains is rewarding and fun, Olokodana said. Each team member has unique abilities, and she finds coaching her colleagues through difficult situations satisfying. Olokodana often provides spiritual care to patients who have behavioral health conditions, are homeless or are struggling with substance abuse, as her personal story helps her relate to their situations.
Her favorite moments? “When I can actually talk to someone and make their day better. To be able to say to someone, ‘You’re OK. Life just happened to you. You can get through this.’”
Looking back, Olokodana said there’s one more factor that fueled her success at L+M. “The people at this hospital have been so supportive,” she said. “They always encouraged me to keep going. I’m thankful that all of my managers took me under their wings and trained me. They pushed me to be who I am today.”
