The Benefits of Spiritual Care at St. Luke's Health

Walking alongside every story

" ‘To walk alongside’ became a phrase I quickly began to experience throughout my spiritual and emotional care support in the hospital setting,” said Alicia Padron, staff chaplain at St. Luke’s - The Woodlands Hospital. “It is a reminder of the chaplain’s mission to join and enter an individual's story in the power of human connection. Walking alongside can be very different from patient to patient. Each story carries its own identity, heart and sacredness.”

Our chaplains meet individuals right where they are—emotionally, spiritually, and existentially. “We believe in the power of active and empathetic listening, creating a safe space for patients to articulate their feelings, concerns and hopes amidst the challenges of illness and hospitalization,” said Ali Candir, manager of mission integration and spiritual care at St. Luke’s - The Vintage Hospital. “We facilitate conversations and meetings with dedicated care teams to ensure that patients' goals of care are aligned with their spiritual beliefs and values.”

A holistic approach for patients and families

The spiritual care team acts as a bridge, helping patients utilize their spiritual resources to cope with illness and stress. “The diagnosis of a new cancer, the prospect of open-heart surgery, or the separation from loved ones can evoke a complex array of emotions—anxiety, fear and nervousness, but also hope, peace and a deep yearning for meaningful connections,” said Candir. The spiritual care team provides a trusted space for sharing personal concerns and helps patients and families process grief, find meaning in suffering and tap into their own spiritual resilience. 

This care extends to celebrating life’s milestones within the hospital walls. From Christmas caroling in every unit to celebrating birthdays and anniversaries for patients, moments of joy are celebrated together as a way to honor life in every circumstance, shared staff chaplain Maria Caisido at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center.  Staff has even been known to facilitate a hospital wedding every now and then!

Supporting staff well-being

Our chaplains are also integral to the well-being of our staff. “They perform "heart" work every day,” said Candir of St. Luke’s Health staff, “and we recognize and honor their need for comfort and encouragement.” To this end, the spiritual care team regularly rounds on units, checks in with team members, provides support during challenging days, and offers prayers, reflection and space for staff to pause, refresh, connect and grow stronger in their own journeys. 

A calling grounded in rigorous training

A career in spiritual care often stems from a deep sense of calling–and team members enter into intensive study and training to prepare for their roles. “Our team’s spiritual care services are delivered by rigorously trained chaplains,” said Scott Lester, director of mission at St. Luke’s Health - Sugar Land Hospital. To receive board certification, chaplains undergo extensive religious training appropriate for their tradition, often including a Master’s of Divinity degree. They must also receive an endorsement from their faith group and complete four units of Clinical Pastoral Training, with an additional 2,000 hours of clinical experience. After achieving board certification, chaplains must complete 50 hours of continuing education annually and participate in periodic peer reviews. “This extensive training equips us with unique and valuable tools to support the holistic care our patients need,” said Lester.

Hope and solace

Ultimately, the spiritual care team at St. Luke’s Health offers more than comfort; they offer connection, meaning and hope, fostering healing for the entire hospital community. As James Lee, staff chaplain at The Woodlands shared, “Everyone is a minister at St. Luke’s Health. We work as a team to serve those who are in need of the ministry of healing and presence.”

Learn more about spiritual care services at St. Luke’s Health.