Memorial Hospital | Fremont Ohio Hospital

Spiritual care program being provided at Memorial Hospital

21-Nov-2011

Memorial Hospital spiritual care team, L to R: Jim Avers, Candy Seaman, Tom Ackerman, Elaine Bast, Jim Hammer and Nancy Smith. Not pictured: Nancy Cullen, Carol Wonderly and Mark Murray

Memorial Hospital, in collaboration with Our Lady of the Pines and Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, recently implemented a program to provide stronger spiritual and religious support for patients, their families and hospital associates. The program currently is made up of seven volunteers who went through a six-week training course with Elaine Ladd, M.A., administrative director of pastoral care at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center.

Annette Overmyer, manager of Memorial Hospital’s Golden Threads and volunteer services, and the program’s initiator at the hospital, believes the program will be a valuable asset to patients, their families and hospital associates.

“The trained volunteers of the spiritual care program will help individuals deal with stressful, sometimes traumatic, situations at the hospital,” she said. “Their support can be a vital component not only in a patient’s recovery but also to families and hospital associates involved in a patient’s care.”

The program consists of daily rounds made by the spiritual care volunteers. During these rounds, the volunteers will pray with, read to, or simply converse with patients and families who desire spiritual and/or religious support. A spiritual care volunteer is also on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that patients will always have access to religious and spiritual support. In addition to the trained volunteers, two local pastors have also volunteered to take call during times of emergency.

According to Overmyer, “Although the hospital initiated and manages this program, the compassion and dedication of its volunteers have truly been vital to its success.”

The spiritual care volunteers are Jim Hammer, Tom Ackerman, Candy Seaman, Carol Wonderly, Nancy Smith, Nancy Cullen and Mark Murray. In addition to those making visitation rounds, Reverend Elaine Bast and Pastor Jim Avers will provide on call support. The program went into action on October 31. For more information regarding the spiritual care program at Memorial Hospital, contact Annette Overmyer at 419.334.6609.

Memorial Hospital has provided health care to Sandusky County and neighboring communities since 1918 – the hospital provides inpatient and outpatient services. It offers a comprehensive range of services, including diagnostic imaging services, a wide range of surgical procedures, intensive care, inpatient pediatric care, emergency care, obstetrics, rehabilitation services, mental health services, hospice care, home health care and much more. For more information, visit memorialhcs.org.

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