Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Statement Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To see our full nondiscrimination statement, click here.

Campus Construction Update

Starting September 14, we’re closing the Menino building lobby entrance. This, along with the ongoing Yawkey building entrance closure, will help us bring you an even better campus experience that matches the exceptional care you've come to expect. Please enter the Menino and Yawkey buildings through the Moakley building, and make sure to leave extra time to get to your appointment. Thank you for your patience. 

Click here to learn more about our campus redesign. 

Spiritual Care

Select your language:

The Spiritual Care Department works collaboratively to help patients, family members and staff to address emotional, spiritual and religious needs. We serve as liaisons, connecting members of the healthcare team, patients and families, and - if requested - clergy or other religious leaders in the community.

Our multi-faith team provides inclusive spiritual care and can explore how your own sense of faith and spirituality may be a healing, comforting resource to you. We will address your unique spiritual journey and support your needs when an ordinary sense of meaning and hope has been disrupted by illness, sudden hospitalization or a life-changing event.

Chaplains value the uniqueness of each person’s spiritual path and provide compassionate support to those of all religious traditions and those who are unaffiliated but seeking support.

How to Contact Us

A chaplain is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After hours a chaplain is available for emergencies only. At any hour, the on-call chaplain will triage requests and direct them, when appropriate, to a faith-specific chaplain (i.e. Catholic priest, Rabbi, Imam).

Contact

Chaplain Samuel Lowe, Ph.D.
Director of Chaplaincy Services
Pager: #3658  
617.638.6850

Rev. Dr. Olorunfemi Adetoro
Lead Chaplain
Pager: #4895
617.414.4299

Fr. Ignatius Nze
Priest Chaplain
Coordinator of Catholic Pastoral Services 
Pager: #7323  
617.638.6851

Jewish Chaplain
Pager #3658
617.638.6850

Muslim Chaplain
Pager #3658
617.638.6850

Jehovah's Witness Hospital Liaison
Pager #3658
617.638.6850

Services Provided

  • Bedside visits during a hospital stay
  • Conversation and prayer before surgery
  • Meditation and prayer
  • Emotional support for families and friends
  • Deep listening
  • Rituals and Sacraments when requested
  • Worship leadership within the medical center
  • Consultation on religious or ethical questions
  • Referral to a spiritual community, when requested, upon discharge
  • Care for your spirit during your physical healing
  • Emergency Baptisms, namings and blessings
  • End of life rituals
  • Memorial services
  • Consultations

When to Call a Chaplain

  • When you are anxious about your or your loved one’s condition
  • When you receive bad news
  • When you need spiritual encouragement
  • When you need assistance with a religious observance or tradition while in the hospital (i.e. dietary needs, fasting, Shabbat candles, Holy Communion, Sacrament of the Sick)
  • When you want someone to pray with you
  • When you are struggling with the meaning of your illness
  • When you are grieving a loss
  • For spiritual and emotional support during hospitalization (before or after a procedure, while awaiting test results, when making decisions, preparing for discharge from hospital, etc.)
  • For 1-on-1 guided meditation
  • For referral to local community of worship