Michael Eselun, a two-time TED-X speaker, serves as the chaplain for the Simms/Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, having shaped the spiritual care program from its inception.  He has worked extensively in oncology, hospice, palliative care and with acute psychiatric patients.  Highly regarded as a keynote speaker, Michael speaks extensively to healthcare professionals, patient populations and faith communities across the country. He weaves stories with vulnerability, insight, and humor-- stories to wrap around the deeper questions of life, mortality and meaning.  Michael speaks from deep personal experience while also sharing the experiences of his patients, making connections between seemingly disparate life journeys.  Michael was recently inducted into the UCLA-Semel Institute Eudaimonia Society, in recognition of having lived a meaning-driven life— nominated for this honor by ten of his colleagues and peers.

“You have a real talent for taking something universal, putting it in the context of a specific, relatable observation/story, and then getting the audience to see and feel the universal truth again as if the first time.” - Mark Huppin, J.D., Ph.D. UCLA Professor of Communication Studies

Michael has been invited to offer keynotes and to present at dozens of conferences and events across the country for medical professionals, patient populations and the larger community— including the national conferences for Women Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer in Philadelphia and for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer in Orlando. Not long ago Michael hosted and presented at the first Spirituality and Medicine Conference at UCLA to an interfaith group of community religious leaders. He’s been interviewed on dozens of radio and live-stream platforms. He’s also been invited to give five lectures as a part of the Simms/Mann-UCLA’s Insights into Cancer lecture series.

"Michael created an environment where we could jump headlong into a precious discussion of healing vs. curing and the central role of a caring human heart." –  Jeffrey Ring, Ph.D.  White Memorial Medical Center - Family Medicine Residency Program

Michael has also worked tirelessly as a speaker/activist/educator addressing anti-LGBTQ bias and homophobia in the larger community for over 30 years.  As an integral part of the Museum of Tolerance/Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Tools for Tolerance program, he is the go-to resource in addressing countless groups of students, educators, administrators, law enforcement agencies, government agencies, and corporate management groups about the impact of homophobia on our culture.   He holds both this work and his chaplaincy as closely related—in that both pursuits have to do with creating safe spaces for people to fully tell their truths and be received with respect. 

"Michael gave a message that transcends circumstances, religions, culture, and politics." – Elaine Suranie, former Chair of the California Commission on the Status of Women

Michael’s affinity for chaplaincy was really born out of his volunteer hospice work in the early days of the AIDS pandemic.  That work demanded that one come to peace with unanswerable questions, while holding the space open for more exploration of what it all may mean.  It also demanded creating a safe and sacred place to tell one’s truth.  These are hallmarks of Michael’s work—listening and giving voice to those in the margins.

"…so touching, relevant and, most of all, accessible to people at all points along the cancer spectrum, at all ages and of all faiths and beliefs." – Amy Grillo, Living Beyond Breast Cancer