Spiritual care

We recognize the central role spiritual care can play for many people in the healing process. Where appropriate, we do our best to integrate an emphasis on whole person care (body, mind and spirit) for you, your family, your friends and our staff. We will never force this care on anyone, but we offer it only if you ask for it, as a way to ensure we can give you whatever it is you need to recover. For us, it is about being present with you, listening to what you want to share and being supportive of that.

Whatever the circumstance that brought you or your loved one to one of our facilities, our providers are available to offer empathetic listening and open hearts regardless of religious faith, beliefs or affiliations.

You may define "spiritual" in a different way than others, and that is fine. To help understand what may be in this category, all of the following questions relate to spiritual needs, concerns and resources:

• Why is this happening?
• What does it all mean?
• How do I make sense of it all?
• How do I feel about transitions in my life?
• What are some things that give me comfort and hope?
• What am I grateful for?
• What or who do I trust?
• What do I consider most important in my life?
• Who is my community (the people who love and are loved by me, no matter what)?

Our Spiritual Care Department is here for you to help you work through these and any other questions you may have.

Spiritual resources are practices, beliefs, objects or relationships that people lean on for support during times of crisis or concern. We have spiritual care providers who are members of Medical City Decatur’s multidisciplinary teams and can provide a variety of resources and services that meet both spiritual and religious needs. Some of the services they offer are:

• Complementary care modalities (such as guided imagery, meditation, centering prayer and relaxion techniques)
• Contact with clergy or other spiritual mentors
• Emotional support
• Inspirational writings
• Music
• Prayer
• Sacramental practices

This is a very personal decision, and we leave it up to you entirely. We find people request these visits:

• When they are feeling alone, anxious or disheartened
• When they need to process difficult emotions
• When they are struggling with tough decisions concerning medical care
• When they need support in sharing grief and loss
• When they would like to discuss fears or beliefs
• When they need a mediator for a family conflict
• When they are excited to celebrate life by welcoming the birth of a new child into the family
• Any other time they feel they would benefit from an empathetic presence

If you would like a visit or call, please submit the following information.

One of our spiritual care providers will make every effort to visit you or your loved one at one of our Medical City Decatur facilities within 48 hours. Requests received after 5:00pm on Fridays will be responded to on the following Monday.

Volunteer chaplains

Medical City Decatur works in collaboration with community pastors and spiritual leaders who volunteer their time to offer spiritual support to patients, families and staff. Each volunteer chaplain is committed to serving as part of the total healthcare team; respecting individual differences and values; and providing spiritual support, welfare, comfort and counsel. Through this alliance, we hope to offer you access to the people you need to support your religious needs during your stay with us.

Interfaith quiet space

The Ray Hawkins Memorial Chapel is located on the 3rd floor of the main hospital building, and provides an interfaith, quiet space for spiritual reflection.

Submit a prayer request

If prayer is something you practice, we are honored to pray with and for you and your loved ones. You can submit a request via the form or at the Prayer Request box located outside the Chaplain office, across from the elevators on the 3rd floor of the east campus.

Your request for prayer is something we take very seriously. One of our spiritual care providers prays over requests daily. Please take a moment to give us some information about your joy or concern.

Please be aware that your prayer request is being sent to us over the Internet and the information you submit may not be secure.