Monthly Archives: October 2015

(RNS) What are the most difficult and painful questions rabbis, priests, pastors or imams face at the bedside of a dying member? Surprise: It’s not abstract theological or metaphysical queries. Rather, THE questions, usually asked in a hospital room, go like … Continue reading →

As a hospital chaplain, I often encounter anxiety and fear. They are both realities for human beings but they are significantly different. Anxiety is the general and often subtle feeling that things are not quite right, our future is uncertain, … Continue reading →

Here’s a new application of telemedicine: chaplain services both in and outside of hospitals. It’s a symptom of the move away from inpatient care, health systems’ desire to save money and a continued need for spiritual support even among those who … Continue reading →

“Our chaplains play a vital role in the patient care experience here at the Medical Center of Houston. I’ll say that anytime, on or off the record,” Melissa Phagan said. Phagan is director of volunteer services at the Medical Center … Continue reading →

“Get down off your cross.” Harsh words, perhaps, especially when you consider that the one who said them is a longtime hospital chaplain, and the woman she was speaking to had just learned that a year after going through chemotherapy, … Continue reading →