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Department of Spiritual Care

Here at The George Washington University Hospital, we understand that hospitalization is a stressful time for both the patient, family and friends. The Department of Spiritual Care has trained professionals who can offer support.

Chaplain Request Line: (202) 715-5329

The George Washington University Hospital Women's Board Interfaith Chapel is on the first floor, directly opposite Admissions and next to the Volunteer Office.

Here are just a few reasons why you might want to call a chaplain. If you:

  • are struggling with the meaning of your illness
  • have concerns with spiritual issues outside of illness
  • are wrestling with difficult treatment choices
  • would like to request a religious ritual specific to your tradition
  • desire to express anxiety or fear or to confide in a "safe" person
  • have received bad news
  • are far from home and would like support
  • are anticipating surgery
  • would like someone to pray with you or bless you
  • are grieving a loss

Services We Provide

  • Responding to referrals
  • Preoperative visits
  • Response to code blues
  • Baptisms
  • Blessings
  • End of life rituals
  • Memorial services
  • Consultations
  • Palliative care rounds
  • In-service presentations

Faith-Specific Services

  • Bibles, prayerbooks and Korans
  • Communion for Catholics and Protestants
  • Sacrament of the Sick for Catholics
  • Shabbat candles for Jewish patients
  • Rituals for religious holy days
  • Response to faith-specific requests
A chaplain usually is available on-site from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call the Chaplain Request Line at (202) 715-5329 to request a chaplain's visit. If you leave a message, please provide the patient's first and last names, religious denomination, and the patient's room number. You also may leave any information that you think would be helpful to the chaplains.

In case of an emergency situation on evenings or weekends, please ask the patient's nurse to contact the telephone operator or the House Operations Supervisor, who can page the on-call chaplain.

Donna Farrar,
Director of Spiritual Care

20100408-_F0E0731Donna previously served as the Director of Pastoral Care at both the University of Kentucky Hospital and Indiana University Medical Center.

She brings more than 20 years of experience working in healthcare and is a CPE Certified Supervisor with the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) and Board Certified from the Association of Professional Chaplains. Donna earned a Master of Divinity at Bangor Theological Seminary, a Master of Science in Family Studies from the University of Kentucky and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the Christian Theological Seminary.

Contact Information

Department of Spiritual Care
The George Washington University Hospital

A chaplain usually is available on-site from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The George Washington University Hospital Women's Board Interfaith Chapel is on the first floor, directly opposite Admissions and next to the Volunteer Office.

Chaplain Request Line:
(202) 715-5329

Note: The information on this Web site is provided as general health guidelines and may not be applicable to your particular health condition. Your individual health status and any required medical treatments can only be properly addressed by a professional healthcare provider of your choice. Remember: There is no adequate substitution for a personal consultation with your physician. Neither The George Washington University Hospital, or any of their affiliates, nor any contributors shall have any liability for the content or any errors or omissions in the information provided by this Web site.
 
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