​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Office of Mission and Ministry​

Pastoral Care

Chaplains foster respect for the spiritual and emotional needs of patients, families and staff. By compassionate service to people in chaotic or joyful times, chaplains attest to the sacredness of life. Baylor Scott & White chaplains are committed to providing effective ministry to people and their families who receive medical care at a Baylor Scott & White Health hospital as an aid to healing.

Baylor Scott & White chaplains assist patients and their families in emergent situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Non-emergent care is provided ​during the normal business hours in most hospitals. Additionally, most hospitals in the Baylor Scott & White system have pastoral care volunteers assisting professional chaplains in offering support representing v​arious traditions in the faith community. ​​

See how we are treating all faiths ​ and treating the human condition.

Services Provided for Patients and Families

• Pastoral visitation for patients and families offering emotional-faith support that can provide comfort and aids healing in both critical and non-critical situations.
• Emergent pastoral counseling, grief and bereavement Emergent pastoral counseling, grief and bereavement support, and prayer support as requested by patients and families.
• Religious services provided in the room (and in the chapel, medical condition of the patient permitting) as requested for the patient and the family, such as Holy Communion, blessings, anointing's, memorial services, worship services, celebrations and/or recognitions for birthdays and anniversaries.
• Advanced care planning – Chaplains facilitate advance care planning to help your family and the medical team to honor your wishes at the end of life. Documents include such tools as a Living Will/Directive to Physicians and a Medical Power of Attorney​
• Religious resources – Chaplains facilitate connection to religious resources outside the hospital such as the pastor, priest, minister, rabbi, imam or spiritual adviser of your choice.

Services Provided for the Community

• Clergy Partnership Programs and pastoral care volunteer opportunities in many hospitals, offering education and mentoring for interested and qualified clergy and lay people.
• Community services and seminars offered such as advance care planning, spiritual and emotional elements of pastoral care, crisis ministry, self-care, bereavement and grief education off​​ered and provided to local faith communities upon request.
• James Lecture – an annual program designed to create dialogue between medical professionals and clergy.
• Clinical Pastoral Education placement for service in many hospitals for qualified clergy and lay people in close cooperation with our pastoral education facility.
• CISM: Critical Incident Stress Management provided in community and as requested by communities of faith, civic leaders and local businesses.
• Faith Community Caregivers – partnering with congregation to promote health in the congregation and larger community.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

Our Clinical Pastoral Education Program (CPE) is accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. Through the department's training and certification of clergy, theological students and qualified lay persons, Baylor Scott & White equips ministers to meet the credentialing requirements of professional chaplaincy organizations.​​

Our CPE program attracts students from around the world and prepares them for effective ministry in a wide variety of international settings.

Learn More About CPE at Baylor Scott & White

Faith in Action Initiatives

Baylor Scott & White employees are extending their reach around the world to those in need through Faith in Action Initiatives​​​. Learn more about how the Baylor Scott & White difference has impacted over 27 countries.

Learn More About Faith in Action Initiatives