The Department of Pastoral Care offers the following services to hospital patients, families, guests and staff:  

The Department of Pastoral Care seeks to foster spiritual and emotional wellness by providing pastoral care and counseling services. The Department provides communion, baptism (or anointing) at the request of the patient, patient’s family or staff.  

The Department provides education and support to the nursing staff as it relates to spirituality, holistic care or end of life issues. Members of the Pastoral Care team also provide leadership in the area of biomedical ethics to health care providers, staff, community churches and educational institutions.

The Department fosters, supports and promotes team building as it relates to community involvement in hospital ministry. The Pastoral Care team also recruits and trains volunteer lay chaplains.  

Pastoral Care Department Support Groups  

S.O.L.A.C.E. (Survivors of Loss: Assistance, Comfort and Encouragement) This is a grief support group for adults who have experienced the death of another adult. The group is free of charge and open to the community. The group is facilitated by Paul Polk, senior staff chaplain. The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the physician’s dining room.  

Lost Angels
This group offers grief support for parents who have experienced the death of a child. The group meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM in the physician’s dining room.  

Military Families
This support group was started due to the war in Iraq. The group meets the first Tuesday of every month at 6 PM in the Department of Pastoral Care offices located in the Women’s Atrium, Conference Room D.