What is meant by Spiritual Care?
The deepest healing occurs when caring for the whole patient. At Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, we provide compassionate care on the spiritual level. We understand the needs of the spirit are critical to health, like the individual organs which make up the body.
One important way we provide spiritual care is through chaplaincy. Chaplains are specialists, trained in human understanding, religious traditions and pastoral counseling. They are available to all patients. As Florence Nightingale said, "Each individual has spiritual needs regardless of whether the individual is religious or not."
Many of our patients find it helpful to be assured of God's presence and love when they are ill. Chaplains see patients, family members and hospital staff of all faiths, ministering in a variety of ways from listening presence to prayer. Upon request, the chaplain will also make contact with community clergy members.
We have two chaplains, Julien Olivier, DMin, and Mary Elizabeth McCue, MDiv. When a chaplain is not available, we will help find clergy members from the surrounding area for emergencies.
How to reach a Chaplain
Monday through Friday — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(603) 740-2824 — You can also ask the operator or a nurse to dial or page a chaplain for you.
When to Ask for a Chaplain
There are many situations in which the chaplain can provide emotional support and gentle spiritual guidance for patients and their loved ones. Consider requesting a visit with the chaplain:
- if you are feeling anxious, afraid or upset
- if you are struggling with spiritual or religious questions or with the meaning of your illness
- if you are wrestling with difficult treatment choices or ethical dilemmas
- if you would like to maintain a certain spiritual practice or receive religious rites or sacraments while in the hospital
- if you would like your own clergy person to be contacted
- if you are grieving a loss
- if you've received some bad news
- if you would like to prepare spiritually for surgery
Meditation Room
Our meditation room is located just off the main lobby, across from elevators 1 and 2. This is a quiet, comtemplative room that is open and available to patients, families and staff 24 hours a day.
