Pastoral Care
Our Mission
As a faith-based hospital ministry, St.Vincent Carmel Hospital addresses the spiritual needs of our patients, their families, associates and volunteers. Our support of the whole person during a hospital stay provides a unique atmosphere to promote patient healing and for families to be comforted.
The Role of Pastoral Care
The pastoral care staff endeavors to:
- Witness in a ministry of presence by seeking to visit every patient who is admitted to St. Vincent Carmel Hospital and responding quickly to patient requests for pastoral care
- Accept and promote the individual's freedom with respect to religious beliefs and practices
- Support patients holistically-- body, mind and spirit-- through supportive care, compassionate listening and various forms of prayer
- Support patients and families in their grief and assist with end-of-life decision making, ethical questions and transitional care
Pastoral Care services are provided every day through a full time chaplain, two on-call chaplains and two volunteer chaplains. In addition, St. Vincent Carmel has 24-hour support from the St. Vincent Health network of chaplains.