Service Areas
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.