Spiritual Care
Nurturing Healing Communities Within and Beyond UnityPoint Health - Meriter
UnityPoint Health – Meriter focuses on caring for the whole person - body, mind and spirit. In this framework, the Department of Spiritual Care focuses on the spiritual and emotional care of people at UnityPoint Health – Meriter hospital. If you, a family member or a friend are in need of spiritual assistance while at the hospital, please feel free to use the following services.
In-house Chaplain Presence
Our chaplains are available within the hospital 24 hours a day to provide ministry to the patients and families of UnityPoint Health – Meriter hospital. They will also assist you in contacting the clergy or denominational representative of your choice. To request assistance or a visit from one of our chaplains, call (608) 417-6480. Or, call our switchboard at (608) 417-6000 and ask that the chaplain-on-call be paged.
Our chaplains link with community agencies, congregations, clergy and spiritual caregivers to facilitate timely and appropriate spiritual care. We are pleased that many community clergy members provide ministry at UnityPoint Health – Meriter hospital. They are an integral part of our ministry team.
Health Consultation and Counseling
As members of your medical care team, our chaplains collaborate with other clinicians and provide consultation on matters concerning your health care, treatment decisions, and values clarification.
Education Opportunities
We offer many education opportunities throughout the year for the general community, community spiritual caregivers, congregations and UnityPoint Health – Meriter hospital staff. Recent topics have included:
- Change, loss and grief
- Health ministry
- Spiritual assessment
- Advance Medical Directives
- Meditation and prayer
- Ethics and End of Life Palliative Care
**Upcoming event alert: The Association for Spiritual Caregivers presents Reverend Dr. Alex Gee speaking about dismantling racism as health, trauma and spiritual caregivers on May 2nd. Full event details available on our blog.
Information for Spiritual Caregivers
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
We offer a comprehensive clinical program for clergy and other caregivers that is nationally accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. If you are a member of the clergy or caregiving staff and would like to learn more about enrolling in this program, please visit our Clinical Pastoral Education Program section.
Association of Spiritual Caregivers
More than 130 area faith community leaders belong to our Association of Spiritual Caregivers. The Association provides spiritual care within UnityPoint Health - Meriter hospital; learning opportunities for faith community leaders; and assists area faith communities in their efforts to be centers of health and healing. If you are a spiritual caregiver and would like to learn more about joining the Association, please visit our Association of Spiritual Caregivers section.
Night Chaplain Service Opportunities
Sponsored by the UnityPoint Health - Meriter Department of Spiritual Care and the Association of Spiritual Caregivers, our Night Chaplain Program allows you to provide spiritual care throughout the hospital. If you are a spiritual caregiver and would like to learn more about night chaplain opportunities, please visit our Night Chaplain section.
Chapel/Meditation Room and Sunday/Memorial Services
Our chapel and meditation room is open daily for patients and families and is located on the lobby level, just around the corner from the Tower elevators.
The Department of Spiritual Care coordinates memorial services on the fourth Sunday in February, June and October for families of adult patients who have died at UnityPoint Health - Meriter hospital. These memorial services assist individuals and families in their grieving process and journey of healing.
An interfaith and ecumenical prayer service is conducted every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and a Roman Catholic Mass is conducted every Sunday at 4:00 p.m. for patients and families for their support while hospitalized.
Reasons to Call a Chaplain
Resources for Spiritual Care