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SPIRITUALITY IN HEALTHCARE...SPIRITUALITY IN HEALTHCARE...SPIRITUALITY IN

Spirituality in Healthcare: Unseen, Yet Present

Most patients and families want the best possible hospital and This is where the hospital chaplain steps in to complete the circle of
healthcare. When they require care, they may ask friends for ref- patient-centered healthcare. Treating the total person is necessary for
erences or search online for information. Mostly, they want to the best patient outcomes. As human beings we exist on several levels
feel comfortable and have trust in their healthcare providers. - physical, social, emotional and spiritual. All of these levels are inter-
In times of illness or injury, doctors will visit, tests will be con- twined and essential. None of them stand alone. We are incomplete if
ducted, results given and decisions made. By this time, a silent any of these facets of our beings are ignored or fail to be addressed.
partner has entered the picture. Probably no one has spoken Chaplains have the very humbling experience of being with patients
about it. Maybe the patient has mentioned it to a close family and their families as they face these critical times. We meet our
member or friend. Sleepless nights, shattered nerves and unre- patients and their families where the moment finds them and walk
lenting worrying seem to be taking over. Mortality has come to with them, side by side.
the forefront! Depending on the individuals and their situation, we may gently
In this situation, patients realize, maybe for the first time, that lead or encourage, or we may determine it is best to step back and
their life is not in their hands. They may have chosen the best wait. Perhaps they just need us to be present or pray.
hospital and have confidence in their healthcare team. But BY SHEILA DROHAN, Where are the answers? They may be in our walk together or the
something is still missing. Questions keep coming up that they MS, BCETS patient acknowledging they feel a certain sense of peace and comfort.
may not feel comfortable addressing and certainly don’t have the As chaplains, we play an essential role within the circle of total
answers for. patient care so that both the physical and spiritual needs of each
There it is again, the abstract, the questions that seem to have no answers, the patient are considered.
looking back on life and wondering about what the future may bring. Why me?
What about my family? Is this fair? What about prayer, God, a higher power? Sheila Drohan is a Martin Health
Where is my help going to come from? System Chaplain.

Cover Story: Baptist Health’s Pastoral

Care Department Provides Comfort SEND US YOUR

During Times of Crisis

Continued from page 1
informal, because the pastoral care team
stories.” is hardwired into the patient care units;
According to Chaplain Santos, pas- we’re part of the interdisciplinary team,”
toral care has been part of Baptist Health explained Chaplain Santos. “Through
since its beginning. Each hospital within these relationships, we are able to pro-
the system has its own pastoral care vide a lot of information, counseling and
department with a site director who is support on a personal level.”
tasked with providing spiritual and reli- The pastoral staff also works with
gious support to the healthcare commu- Baptist’s Employee Assistance Program
nity. The department oversees a very (EAP) to provide a formal counseling
comprehensive religious activity sched- program. State-licensed therapists offer
ule, including holding services every mental health and family counseling
week for members of different denomi- services for employees who need help; • News Tips
nations, as well as prayer meetings and for example, when going through a
special holiday celebrations. The pas- divorce, or suffering from depression or
toral care team also visits with patients, anxiety on the job. • Letters To the Editor
performs religious rites, and provides “We provide a strong community for
counseling for staff members. the providers so that they can take care
“There are many religious aspects to of the patients,” said Chaplain Santos. • Announce New Hires
what we do; for example, we deal with “These things go hand-in-hand.”
the specific religious needs of Roman Santos, who has been a chaplain at
Catholic patients for things like confes- Baptist Health for 22 years, feels thank-
sion, anointing, and the sacrament of the ful that the healthcare system provides and Promotions
sick,” said Chaplain Santos. “But we also resources to those seeking spiritual sup-
understand that spirituality goes beyond port. “To separate the faith-based mis-
religious practices. sion from pastoral care is almost impos- • Promote Your Event
“Some people are not practicing a set sible to do,” he explained. “I feel blessed
of beliefs, but are very spiritual and that Baptist supports the work we do,
reflective. Others may not consider and creates and maintains resources to • Announce Business-Related Awards
themselves spiritual or religious, but support patients, families and staff from
may begin asking important questions an emotional, spiritual and religious
about their purpose and meaning,” he standpoint. • Tout Your Success
continued. “We meet the person where “They have resources in place at every
they are, and this means different things level of the organization; everyone from
to different people. One of our most the entry level to senior management
important tasks in the healthcare envi- shows an understanding of our mission,”
ronment is to have a presence and help he added. “A lot of places speak about
them make meaning of their experience this holistic approach, but Baptist lives
at this time of crisis.” it.” E-mail your submissions to
The pastoral care team is available 24
hours a day not only to help patients and To learn more about the pastoral care editorial@
their families, but also hospital employ- program at Baptist Health,
ees, the medical staff and their families. visit www.BaptistHealth.net or call southfloridahospitalnews.com
“Much of what we do for the staff is (786) 595-1137.

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