Pastoral Care
In collaboration with our clinicians, the chaplains in our pastoral care program provide spiritual and emotional support to everyone impacted by a diagnosis.
A true partnership
‘We are in it together’
When patients come to Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospitals, their prognosis is not always optimal. Our pastoral care chaplains aim to visit every seriously ill patient within 24 to 48 hours of admission to discuss and assist with advance care planning.
More than legal documentation, advance care planning gives patients the power to articulate treatment wishes and decisions that align with their spiritual and personal beliefs, easing stress and anxiety for families when making difficult decisions.
Physicians can also contribute to those conversations. They often feel invested in our families’ well-being and want to ensure everyone is comfortable with treatment decisions.
“‘We are in it together’ is a reality,” says Ines Lowe, manager of pastoral services. “There are those who go down in the well and those who hold the rope. For us to make an impact as a chaplain, you have to have the calling, and if you don’t have the calling, you won’t stay in the field for long.”
An empathetic ear
Our pastoral care program also offers patients and their families solace and comfort. Often, they simply need someone to listen and provide emotional support. When patients pass away, the pastoral care team can assist with bereavement services and connect families to support groups, grief counseling and estate management advice.
We deeply believe in the value of spiritual support and care. We recognize that when patients and families have access to these services, our care teams can make a lasting impact on everyone they serve.
“It’s an honor that patients allow us to be present in the most vulnerable times in their lives. They share things that are so important to their being.”
Ines Lowe
Manager of Pastoral Services
Special gestures matter
We take particular pride in caring for current and former members of the US military. When these patients pass away, we hold a special ceremony to present their families with a military coin to recognize and honor their dedication and thank them for their service.
We also introduced a new initiative in 2024: our “God Is Big Enough” bracelets. Patients receive the bracelets to remind them of the support they received from their pastoral care team.
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