It is the mission and goal of the Department of Pastoral Care to participate in the UNM Health Sciences Center's effort to care for the whole person recognizing the inter-relatedness of body, mind and spirit in either sickness or health.  The objective of the chaplain's ministry is to assist the patient in mobilizing his personal and spiritual resources in a progression toward health and wholeness.  This mission also functions as an integral part of the health-care team and the health-care system by maintaining effective networking with religious communities.

The mission is accomplished by:

• Assuring the provision of quality pastoral care to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patients, families and staff utilizing the resources of the staff chaplains, chaplain interns and the community clergy as appropriate.
• Promoting and coordinating a positive relationship of communication and networking between the health system and the religious community to assure an optimal level of support for the relationship between minister and/or the congregation and the hospitalized member and/or their family.
• Promoting awareness and sensitivity among health-care staff for the religious and spiritual needs and practices of patients and families.
• Providing consultation and counseling to staff members by breaking down traditional barriers and fostering a "team approach" to getting the support to the care givers in a timely and confidential manner.

The department is comprised of three primary service areas, including

• Pastoral Care and Counseling services to patients in the UNM Health Sciences Center Hospitals.  Those hospitals include UNM Hospital, UNM Children's Hospital, UNM Psychiatric Center, UNM Children's Psychiatric Hospital, and UNM Carrie Tingly Hospital.
• The Clinical Pastoral Training program provides hospital certified pastoral care training and supervision for clergy and qualified laity in the specialized area of emergency room and trauma center crisis response.
• Traditional Worship Services held at various times in the University Hospital's Zimmerman Chapel and at the newly developed Youth Chapel located within the Children's Psychiatric Hospital.

The department is comprised of two full time Staff Chaplains, one Casual Pool Chaplain, two Community Contract Chaplains and a Visiting Roman Catholic Priest.  In addition, the Chaplaincy staff is supported by the very strong and dedicated presence of Volunteer Chaplains and Chaplain Interns of various faith backgrounds.

The expression of spirituality takes many forms.  Each of us expresses his or her faith differently in the midst of crisis and disease.  The Pastoral Care Department of UNM Hospital provides inter-faith pastoral care to patients and families of all faiths. As chaplains of the Department of Pastoral Care, we are always available to assist you and your family, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  We offer conversation, counsel, sacraments, someone to pray and read scripture with you. We make pastoral visits to patients before and after surgery.   Our goal is to support you and your loved ones in any professional way that we can.

Our chapel exists for all peoples to meditate and pray in a serene and soothing environment.  It is located in the main lobby and has recently reopened after undergoing renovations.  We invite you to visit, reflect, and feel at peace in this space devoted to spiritual healing for people of all faiths.

You may phone the Pastoral Care office Monday through Friday at 505-272-1796.  In the evenings and weekends, your nurse can reach the on-call chaplain by pager at 951-9955.