Pastoral Care - Chaplain Services    

NMMC's Pastoral Care Department seeks to address the spiritual needs of patients, families and caregivers through its chaplaincy program. These services are based on an initial, ongoing and documented assessment of the spiritual needs of patients. The chaplaincy program exists in the belief that through appropriate spiritual care, patients and families may be free to attain a degree of emotional and spiritual comfort that is satisfactory to them. 

The Pastoral Care Department functions as an integral part of NMMC’s comprehensive approach of care for the whole person: physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual. Through conscientious planning, the program, in coordination with local ministers, work to lessen the spirtual anxiety which often enters the lives of persons facing illness and hospitalization.  

Chaplains offer pastoral care to patients and/or their family members who request assistance in addressing spiritual concerns. The basic purpose of pastoral care is for spiritual healing through counseling and prayer bringing God’s peace to those in need. 

 

The nurturing ministries of Pastoral Care include:

Chaplain visits - Main Unit, Emergency Services, Short Stay Surgery, Critical Care Unit, Center for Digestive Health, Breast Care Center, Cancer Center, Behavioral Health and Women’s Hospital in response to referrals by physicians, nurses, other NMMC staff members, patients and family members and patients’ clergy.   

Pastoral support for families of patients undergoing inpatient or outpatient procedures.  

Spiritual counseling and pastoral care for medical staff, employees and members of the community.  

Worship experiences for patients, employees and medical staff in the chapels and at the bedside of patients. 

Provisions of Bibles for patients upon request.   

Sacramental and ritual services (baptism, holy communion, marriage) provided by Pastoral Care staff or by arrangement with representatives of patients’ religious communities.   

Holding funeral services.   

Conducting Easter service, memorial services & Christmas service at NMMC.  

Offering bereavement counseling for families dealing with the loss of loved ones.  

Directing the resolution of ethical issues through providing consultation with the Medical Ethics Committee.  

Provision of Chaplaincy Service to NMHS Administrators upon request.  

Work in collaboration with area pastors/ministers in the provision of spiritual needs of the communities.
 

The Chaplain’s availability is as follows: 

Weekdays – The Pastoral Care office is open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Nights and Weekends – A Chaplain may be contacted through the hospital switchboard. This service is provided for critical cases. 

Chaplaincy Service can be requested by calling the Pastoral Care office at 377-3439. Requests for a Chaplain to visit a particular patient are encouraged. 

Volunteer Chaplains are also available to visit patients in the Main Unit.