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Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care

NCH’s pastoral care team shares spiritual care, pastoral support and healing grace to all patients, their families, hospital employees, medical staff and volunteers. Ministering to the body, mind and spirit is the very foundation on which NCH was built and will continue to be upheld as the core principals of the pastoral care program.

NCH understands the true value of spiritual healing and ministry work within the healthcare setting and remains committed to providing these critical services throughout both hospitals. We realize the tremendous impact pastoral care, when properly resourced with dedicated staff, can have on a patient’s physical and spiritual healing process. We enjoy a strong partnership with local clergy and appreciate their complementary role with our team members at the bedside.

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One of the cornerstones of the NCH pastoral care program is the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program.

CPE is a supervised learning experience in understanding and practicing the art of pastoral care and has been a part of theological education for more than 75 years. The program brings theological students and ministers of all faiths (pastors, priests, rabbis, imams and others) into supervised encounters with individuals who are in crisis. 

NCH is the only hospital outside of major metropolitan cities in Florida that has an accredited CPE program.

Even with the current CPE program in place, the pastoral care program experiences challenges in effectively reaching all NCH patients and families wanting pastoral and spiritual care. Most consults, especially during peak times, are being done more on a crisis management basis.

How You Can Help

Gifts, including endowment support, are being sought to ensure the long-term viability of the NCH Pastoral Care Program, making key additions to the staff.

Benefits to Patients and Families

A strong and sustained pastoral care program, with additional clergy, will provide the following benefits:

  • Increase pastoral care consults at the bedside at both NCH Baker Hospital Downtown and NCH North Naples Hospital.
  • Provide continuity and eliminate the gaps in pastoral care services throughout the year.
  • Offer specialized pastoral care for patients receiving palliative care services.
pastoral care cpe class 2016
CPE 2016 class members preparing to view a surgery at NCH.