Enhancing healing and wholeness by attending to people's spiritual needs.

"We cannot help seeing that there is the closest of connections between the soul and hope. I almost think that hope is for the soul what breathing is for the living organism. Where hope is lacking, the soul dries up and withers."
                 - Gabriel Marcel

Because spirit is an important dimension of human wholeness and the healing process, our mission is to assist patients, families, loved ones, employees, and community members as they face the emotional and spiritual impact of illness and crisis. Chaplains (both staff chaplains and Clinical Pastoral Education students) help people deal with issues of fear, loneliness, hopelessness, ethical values, and questions of meaning.

We seek to embody compassionate, confidential support for people of all faiths and backgrounds who come to Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.

Spiritual Care Services

Our services at the medical center are provided free of charge.

• Interfaith chapels are available at the Alta Bates, Summit and Herrick Campuses for people to pray, meditate, reflect, or simply sit quietly. A Roman Catholic chapel also is available on the Summit Campus.
  
• Copies of scriptures and holy writings are available from various faith traditions.
  
• Religious services and rituals, including prayer, emergency baptism, communion, and anointing are offered.
  
• We offer assistance with referrals to local religious leaders and faith communities.
  
• We help clarify spiritual issues and ethical dilemmas.
  
• We respond to emergency situations, both in the Emergency Department and throughout the medical center.
  
• We assist patients in completing their Advance Health Care Directives.
  
• We facilitate grief and cancer support groups.
  
• We accompany dying patients, their family members, and loved ones.
  
• We visit patients and their loved ones during hospitalization.

Contact a Chaplain at the Summit Campus (Oakland)
Please call (510) 869-6784 or page the on-call Chaplain at (510) 801-5050. Chaplains are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact a Chaplain at the Alta Bates or Herrick Campuses (Berkeley)
Please call (510) 204-6730 or page the on-call chaplain at (510) 801-5050. Chaplains are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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