The Spiritual Care Department provides resources and support for patients and their families as they become participants in research protocols. The word "spiritual" can have many meanings. "Care" is assisting persons to relate with the holy, the divine, and the sacred. Whether acute or chronic, illness and diagnosis can raise many questions about meaning, purpose, and the future, including anticipated crises.
The chaplaincy staff of our Spiritual Care Department are here to support your spiritual needs. Chaplains are available for personal visits with you and your loved ones.
If your faith is not represented within the staff, the chaplains will contact your faith group representative on your behalf. Scriptures and religious literature of most faiths are available upon request.
Our Role
When you are on a research study, the focus is on diagnosis and treatment of illness. In the Spiritual Care Department, we see ourselves as guides in the journey to health and wholeness. Like the other team members who serve pediatric patients, chaplains are equipped to enter the child's world with sensitivity. We also recognize the importance of supporting the family of each pediatric patient.
As men and women who serve as hospital chaplains, we offer ourselves as a bridge for those who want to continue the spiritual or religious practices of their families and communities. Your own spiritual leader may carry the title of chaplain, pastor, priest, minister, rabbi, imam, elder, or some other title. Here, we are all known as chaplains. However, if you need a spiritual or religious leader of your own faith tradition who is not represented on our staff, we will help you to find that resource.
What We Do
Chaplains visit patient care units during the week. We are available to respond to questions, lead worship services in the Chapel on the 7th floor of the NIH Clinical Center, and provide literature and sacred writings common to your faith community and background.
Weekly Chapel Schedule
Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, and Protestant chaplains hold regular services in the Inter-Faith Chapel.
How to Reach Us
We are available through several means. Chaplains visit each patient care unit regularly. We can receive referrals from physicians, nurses, social workers, recreation therapists, other health care providers, family members, or friends. During working hours we may be reached by phone at 301-496-3407 or through the page operator at 301-496-1211 at any time.
All of us in the Spiritual Care Department look forward to being here for you.