Pastoral Care Ministry

To support East Jefferson General Hospital's mission of providing the highest level of care for its patients, Pastoral Care chaplains provide non-denominational spiritual support and encouragement for patients and their families. As part of the patient care team, chaplains tend to a patient's emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of healing.

Chaplains provide support to those from any religious background and make available religious resources including prayers, scripture, and other religious texts. A Catholic priest from the local diocese is available for counsel and to administer the sacraments. In addition, Pastoral Care will contact clergy from any denomination, if available, to provide comfort and guidance for patients in need.

Chaplains understand that illness affects not only the patient, but the family and caregivers as well. Therefore, chaplains are available to the entire patient care team, including the patient, his or her loved ones, nurses, physicians, and others providing care.

When to Notify a Chaplain

A chaplain should be notified when:

• A patient's condition begins to deteriorate
• A patient or family member requests assistance with an ethical issue or decision
• A patient requires or requests emotional support in coping with his or her diagnosis
• A patient's friend or family member requires or requests emotional support
• A patient appears to be depressed and requires counseling A patient of family member requests assistance with advance directives such as a living will

Chaplains are available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. To contact a chaplain, call (504) 454-4840 or dial '0' for the operator.

Chapel and Worship Services

The hospital chapel is located on the first floor, across from The Foundation office, between the main entrance of the hospital and the walkway to the Canal and Esplanade parking garages. It is open at all times for quiet prayer and meditation.

Daily devotion is held in the chapel at 8 am, Monday - Friday. Mass is held in the chapel on Sunday 9:30 am and on Wednesday at Noon.

The Pastoral Care office is located on the first floor, at the back of the hospital, near the Emergency Department elevators and the Yenni Pavilion.