Chaplains Help Patients and Families
Becoming hospitalized, or having a loved one undergo hospitalization, can be a frightening experience. Often, it’s the comfort and spiritual guidance that people receive during these trying times that can give them strength to maintain hope and to get better.

Many patients at Doctors Hospital of Laredo often have spiritual needs in addition to physical needs. That’s why Patient Advocate Rachel Rodriguez developed the Chaplaincy Program four years ago.

“Many of our patients and their families deal with death and dying, end-of-life decisions, severe trauma and other emotionally stressful situations,” she says. “Faith has a way of helping them through the most difficult times.”

Multidenominational Advisors
The chaplaincy team at Doctors Hospital consists of 20 active volunteer clergy members, who include Catholic priests, ministers, pastors, deacons and Eucharistic ministers. While the majority of patients at Doctors Hospital are Catholic, the chaplaincy program also includes representatives of the Laredo Church of Christ and several independent Christian churches. Representatives from other denominations may be called upon request.

“Our volunteers are available 24-hours-a-day,” says Rodriguez, who keeps an on-call list of representatives of most of the local denominations. “They have given me their home and cell phone numbers, and most can be here in a matter of minutes when there is a need.”

Daily Prayer Offered
Each day, clergy members make the rounds of patients and check with the floor nurses to see if anyone has a special spiritual need. They also lead weekly worship services in the hospital’s Meditation Room and are available to provide spiritual counseling to doctors and staff.

“Basically, everyone who walks into the hospital, from family members to hospital employees, has access to our Chaplaincy Program,” Rodriguez says.

Clergy members receive orientation and training, as well as continuing education. They also meet monthly to discuss the progress of the Chaplaincy Program and to find new ways of providing spiritual support. Of their contributions to patient care, Rodriguez says the hospital “couldn’t do without them.”

“Our local clergy members enhance the quality of care we offer our patients by helping us treat the whole patient — not just the physical person,” she says. “They make up a vital component of our healthcare team. We’re glad to have them with us.”