It is a very special role the spiritual caregiver holds in the health care setting, providing interfaith ministry with respectful care to people of all belief systems. Over the past five decades, the WakeMed Spiritual Care team has impacted the lives of thousands of patients, family members and staff.
How It Began
WakeMed Spiritual Care dates back to 1972, following a deadly sniper shooting at North Hills Mall. Although WakeMed could clinically treat patients, this incident was the catalyst for WakeMed to provide more resources to help patients and families — as well as staff — who were hurting both physically and emotionally. That same year, WakeMed’s first chaplain was hired.
Thanks to the foresight of WakeMed executive leaders, our Spiritual Care department (then called Chaplaincy) was the first program of its kind in Wake County. Over the years, the program has grown and now includes four staff chaplains and two program coordinators who serve patients, loved ones and staff throughout the system. Over time, other spiritual care providers, including a Roman Catholic priest and an Emergency Department staff chaplain have also been added. The department provides individual and family interfaith spiritual guidance, regular chapel services, grief support, clinical training and debriefings.
Since 1975, WakeMed has been home to a thriving Clinical Pastoral Care (CPE) program, educating over 850 CPE students. WakeMed’s program, which is accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), brings a diverse group of theological students, clergy and qualified laity into supervised encounters with people in crisis. Each year, dozens of student interns and residents receive training at WakeMed from our three ACPE-certified educators. Here, students learn and experience the practice of ministry within the context of a major health care system.
The Arrival of COVID-19
WakeMed’s Spiritual Care team was among the teams on the frontlines of the pandemic, spending countless hours in WakeMed’s COVID units with patients who were often isolated from everyone they love.
When COVID-19 hit, requests for Spiritual Care support increased dramatically. Under the leadership of Jeremy Gilmore, director (Spiritual Care), the team worked diligently to expand services and meet the growing need.
“Grief, fear and uncertainty don’t take nights and weekends off, so we needed to be available day and night, to provide support for our patients, families and staff,” explains Gilmore.
Spiritual Care trained and hired more contract chaplains and established a 24/7 on-call support program. Throughout the pandemic, and beyond, WakeMed Spiritual Care has been a source of hope and strength for people here at WakeMed and our community.
In the Wake of Tragedy in Raleigh
Today — 50 years later — the team continues to provide healing during some of the most challenging times of our lives. We have witnessed their tireless work in the wake of the most recent tragedy as they support our staff and our community devastated by the mass shooting. They have offered comfort and support to our teams who have cared for the victims and the families and members of the greater community affected by this senseless act of violence and loss of life.
Our Profound Thanks
Our team of chaplains and pastoral care leaders help patients and families begin to cope with often life-changing hardships, celebrate the journey of new life and health victories and provide spiritual care for all in ways that are supportive, meaningful and unique to them.
Please join us in giving thanks to these truly awe-inspiring caregivers for making a profound difference in our community — and for the hope and healing they help lead us closer to each and every day.
What’s on the Horizon
More growth is on the horizon for WakeMed Spiritual Care. With support from the WakeMed Foundation, the team is working to expand their unique support services outside of the hospital walls by adding chaplains to serve our Healthplexes and the Center for Community Health among many other initiatives. Look for more information about these exciting developments to be shared soon!
About Spiritual Care
The mission of the Department of Spiritual Care at WakeMed Health & Hospitals is to provide effective spiritual care to patients, families, and staff in ways that are supportive and meaningful to them while respecting their values and belief systems.
Our chaplains are specially trained to work with hospital patients and families and are available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to minister to your needs.
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