Pastoral Care

As members of the healthcare team, chaplains at Capital Health work closely with other hospital staff in providing an environment for total patient care. This commitment embraces not only a patient's physical needs, but also spiritual, emotional, and social needs. The chaplains are available to work with patients, their families, and the representatives of their faith communities.

The Pastoral Care Department has a director, who is responsible for pastoral services at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, and a staff chaplain, who provides pastoral services on the Mercer Campus. A staff of trained volunteer chaplains (representing the diversity of our community) and chaplain-interns (students of Princeton Theological Seminary) support the professional chaplains. A professional chaplain is regularly available Monday through Friday. After regular office hours, volunteer chaplains are sometimes available in the evening and on weekends. In case of an emergency, the professional chaplains may be reached by contacting a member of the nursing staff or the hospital operator.

Staff may also seek out pastoral services. We support our patients and those who take care of our patients. A holistic plan of care encompasses patients, their families, loved ones, and their caretakers.

The Pastoral Care Department works to offer spiritual support to patients, while preventing those who may desire to come into the hospital and proselytize the sick. We are concerned with the spiritual and emotional well-being of all patients and their families. If a patient has no religious affiliation, we would be glad to offer support and caring. If a patient has a religious affiliation, we would be glad to notify the patient’s clergy and congregation. A priest, assigned by the Catholic Diocese of Trenton, provides a sacramental ministry to our Roman Catholic patients.

Services

Pastoral services include:
  • Prayer, religious rites, and sacraments
  • Spiritual counsel
  • Counseling on end-of-life issues
  • Grief support
  • Consultation on ethical issues
  • Interfaith chapels, located on the first floor of Capital Health Regional Medical Center and Mercer campus, and open at all hours for prayer and meditation
  • Printed materials for prayer, meditation, and reading
  • Confidential hospital prayer request line (609-394-4381)
  • Referrals to area clergy and religious organizations
  • Educational events on topics related to spirituality and health and to pastoral care
The patient's faith and value system, together with the patient's religious tradition and community, are valuable resources for health, recovery and well-being. We encourage all to make use of these sources of hope and support.

Pastoral Care Volunteer Program

People of all religious traditions are invited to serve in the Pastoral Care Volunteer Program. Volunteers from the community support the chaplains by ministering to the spiritual, emotional and social needs of patients. Requirements for serving as a pastoral care volunteer include participating in our Volunteer Training Program. For more information, please contact the Chaplains.