History Patient Spirituality Ministry Volunteers Meditation Room and Chapel Contact Information
| Pastoral Care History
Samaritan Medical Center is about to enter the 125th year of providing health care services for the residents of Northern New York and their families and friends. From the beginning its founders were aware of the need to provide spiritual care to those whom it served. Historically, The House of the Good Samaritan (the name originally given our facility by the wife of our founder) was conceived by the then Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Dr. Russell A. Olin, and his colleague from the neighboring Grace Episcopal Church, Rev. Albert Dranger. Together with five of their parishioners, they formed the original Board of Directors. Among the first of their tasks was to draw up a Constitution. In the first article they described only the name by which the facility would become known. In the second they state emphatically, “The object of this association shall be to establish and maintain a Hospital, in the City of Watertown, N.Y., for the care and treatment of sick and disabled persons….and also to provide such persons…with the ministrations of religion, under the direction of the clerical members of the Board.” Today, we continue to remain faithful to those original goals. Patient Spirituality During times of pain and joy, people search for meaning. This is true for anyone, and not specific to any religion, culture, or belief system. At Samaritan Medical Center, we believe that each patient is unique and deserves to be treated in a holistic manner. By integrating body, mind, and spirit, patients often find their spirituality and religious beliefs help them cope with illness, loss, and life transitions. Research is showing that prayer and meditation can contribute to the healing process.
Spiritual needs are essential human needs. Some of these include the need for love and relationships, for meaning and purpose in our lives, the need to forgive and be forgiving, and to feel a sense of community and support. Belonging to a specific faith tradition or religion is one way of meeting these needs. When one is not so connected they often experience vulnerability in life transitions that increase their need for spiritual support. Ministry Volunteers At Samaritan Medical Center Pastoral Caregivers are available to provide support during these times, helping to identify spiritual needs and helping patients develop and use their spiritual strengths and gifts.
Pastoral Caregivers help patients search for meaning, identify spiritual concerns and stressors, assess their spiritual strengths and needs, and provide counsel in meeting those needs. In visiting patients they establish continuity, trust, and support. Prayer, an empathic listening presence, and unconditional acceptance are part of providing spiritual care. Helping family members validate their feelings associated with illness and hospitalization is an important chaplaincy function.
The hospital chaplains visit patients in the hospital to meet the specific requests that are made for their care as well as to determine the needs of those who do not specifically request their services. In addition, every effort is also made to determine already established relationships in the faith community and to assist patients in maintaining those relationships. We are respectful, as well, of the wishes of those who prefer to have no contact.
Finally, the chaplains also minister to the needs of the staff as well as the institution. They work with staff that request assistance in dealing with difficult situations either in their work or personal lives. They work together with staff in interdisciplinary patient care meetings or individually to consult with them in meeting the spiritual needs of their patients. They serve on hospital committees to consult with members and support the work of the healthcare system. Meditation Room and Chapel There is a meditation room and chapel located on the first floor of the hospital near the surgical waiting area for the use of our patients, visitors, and staff. Please feel free to make use of this resource at any time. Contact Information If you wish to speak with a chaplain you may contact the Office of Pastoral Care Services. Our telephone number is 785-4195. The Director, Rev. Leon ("Toby”) Schilling, may be reached at 786-4948. If no one is available in the office at the time of the call, you may contact the hospital switchboard at 785-4000 and request that the operator page the chaplain.
Please feel free to contact us with your spiritual care needs or those of a loved one who is currently a patient or resident in one of our facilities. |
