Pastoral Care
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.
