A hospital stay can be a stressful experience: an unfamiliar situation in an unfamiliar place. Add to this the physical discomfort of an illness or injury; it can be a difficult time. This is true not only for the patient, but for family and friends as well.

The chaplains of AtlantiCare's Pastoral Care program are here to provide spiritual support to patients and families while they receive care at the hospital. AtlantiCare's chaplains bring comfort and offer a listening ear and heart to people of all faiths and cultures.

Please click on a link below to learn more:

• Pastoral Care Services
• How to Access a Chaplain During Your Hospital Stay
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Contact Us
• Related Web Links

Pastoral Care Services

Overview

Prayer, ritual and sacraments are an integral part of pastoral care. Yet, chaplains do so much more, including

• visiting patients
• helping patients and families find their way around the hospital
• counseling families and caregivers
• reaching out with a helping hand
• offering comfort in times of grief
• or simply listening.

Our chaplains are multi-disciplined and offer a great deal to the overall care of patients, their families, and the hospital staff. We can also arrange for your clergy to visit you at the hospital.

Chapel

An interfaith chapel is provided at each hospital to use when one needs space to get away to pray or reflect. The chapel is open to all faiths and offers a place of solitude and/or meditation. You are welcome at all times.

Prayer Line

A 24-hour prayer line is available to patients, families and visitors. You can call the following number and hear a pre-recorded prayer in your faith tradition or a secular thought for the day. From your hospital phone, dial: 1-2999 to access the prayer line.

How to Access a Chaplain

We have a staff chaplain at each hospital, as well as a Roman Catholic Chaplain at each campus. Chaplains are present in the hospital throughout the week and are available by pager when not in the hospital. Simply ask the operator or a staff member to page the chaplains and we will be in touch as soon as possible. More contact information is available here.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our pastoral care offices also utilize volunteers from the community. Volunteers come in on a regular basis and assist the chaplain in visiting patients. They receive training through our volunteer office and then the pastoral care office before they go out to visit. If you think you would enjoy this type of work you may pick up an application from our pastoral care offices. It is rewarding work, and our patients are so thankful for their presence.

How to Contact Us

City Campus

Catholic Chaplain: Father Paul Wise
Pager: 609-525-1266
Phone: 609-345-1786 (St. Monica's Roman Catholic Parish)

Spanish Language Chaplain: Sister Mary Frances Kyle
Pager: 609-525-2524
Fluent Spanish Interpreter
(Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Mainland Campus)

Mainland Campus

Staff Chaplain: Reverend Pamela Werner, MDIV
Chaplan for Mainland Campus

Office Phone: 609-748-4095
Extension (from inside the hospital): 2-2782
Pager: 609-525-6591

Catholic Chaplain: Father Bob Matysik, MDIV
Pager: 609-525-5094

Related Web Links

Spirituality and religion

http://www.beliefnet.com/

Health, Faith and Ethics

http://www.parkridgecenter.org/

Spirituality and Health

http://www.spirituality-health.com/spirit/

Humor Therapy

http://www.holisticonline.com/Humor_Therapy/humor_therapy.htm

Religion and Ethics

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/index_flash.html

A Buddhist Information Site

http://www.buddhanet.net/

A Catholic Internet Information Site

http://www.catholic.net/

An Islamic Web Directory

http://www.islamicfinder.org/

A Personal Gateway to Jewish Exploration

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/

National Council of Churches

http://www.ncccusa.org/members/index.html