Pastoral Care

Members of the pastoral care department provide spiritual and emotional support to patients and families regardless of religious affiliation. Chaplains stop by for a visit and provide a compassionate, supportive and caring pastoral presence as they listen attentively to a patient’s or family member’s concerns, fears and questions.

Chaplains support the healing sources of beliefs, traditions and cultural backgrounds—the lived experiences chosen by each person. In doing so, chaplains hope to help each person reflect on and connect with the source of their inner strength, hope, love and life.

Chaplains

Our chaplains are trained professionals, both ordained and nonordained women and men, who represent various faith traditions and who work throughout the hospital. They have advanced degrees in theology and spirituality, and each has had training in hospital chaplaincy. Chaplains work on their assigned units during daytime hours and attempt to visit each patient during the hospital stay.

To be assured of a chaplain visit, please ask your nurse to contact a chaplain for you. You can also call your own priest, pastor or spiritual caregiver. They are always welcome and encouraged to visit. With your consent, the hospital chaplain can also assist you with this. Chaplains are on call after office hours. A chaplain can also be an effective resource when a patient is faced with an ethical issue. Most of these issues arise from the end-of-life situations, such as advanced directives, choice or refusal of treatment, and options when treatment seems no longer effective.

Patient Education

Chaplains are available to provide information on advance directive documents (living will and durable power of attorney for health care). Chaplains also can teach relaxation and imaging techniques, grief education, and clarification of values.

Chapel and Pastoral Care Offices

The chapel is located on the second floor, near the cafeteria and just past the chaplains’ offices. Patients and families are welcome to visit at any time. A weekly prayer service is held on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is invited. Outside the chapel is "Prayer All" for people in need of prayers. They are remembered in our prayers and ministry. We invite you to write your prayer request on a card. The hospital respects patient confidentiality. Please ask permission before you write the patient’s name on a card.