Mission Statement

As integral members of the healing team, chaplains pursue professional standards of excellence, serving as spiritual companions who provide awareness of the sacred, facilitating care that is compassionate and wholistic, and advocating for the sick and vulnerable.

The members of the Saint Thomas Hospital Pastoral Care Department represent a variety of religious traditions. In preparation for the specialized ministry of pastoral care, chaplains have engaged in extensive clinical training and have completed graduate theological degrees.

Chaplains support the spiritual and emotional needs of patients, their loved ones and staff.  They promote the dignity of persons through their ministry and collaborate with interdisciplinary colleagues to provide patient-centered care that contributes to healing of body, mind and spirit.  They also advocate for those entrusted to their care as they strive to support the goals, wishes and wholeness of those persons.

Chaplains are available to receive requests for ministry from patients or families of any denomination, and for those with no formal religious affiliation.  They minister to patients and their loved ones as they cope with illness, surgery (pre and post), rehabilitation, and spiritual and emotional feelings that can be associated with those experiences.  Religious/spiritual resources provide comfort and strength when one is dealing with health issues and confronting challenging decisions, as well as faith-based questions that arise in the midst of illness.