A Legacy of Caring
Spiritual care has been part of St. Mary’s since founded nearly 100 years ago by the Sisters of St. Joseph and remains a core value in the compassionate care we provide. During Spiritual Care Week from October 16th–22nd, we honour the work of our Spiritual Care Team at St. Mary’s who provides spiritual, religious and emotional support to patients, families and hospital staff 24/7.
Spiritual care is about listening, clarifying concerns, counselling, and meaning-making to those experiencing fear, anger, confusion, disillusionment, loneliness and isolation, as well as those experiencing joy, relief, renewal, celebration. The Spiritual Care Team supports people with diverse beliefs and spiritualities, some of whom may have religious faith as a resource, as well as those who do not.
Always taking the lead of the individual seeking care, SMGH’s Spiritual Care Team is comprised of the following individuals who are embedded into the work of the hospital’s committees such as Ethics, Mental Health Action Team, and Truth and Reconciliation in addition to their other duties:
Gary Payne -Director of Spiritual Care, St. Joseph’s Health System
Fr. Sam Restivo –Priest/Chaplain
Greta DeLonghi –Full-Time Chaplain for ED, 500, 600, 700
Salih Ada and Vicki Shepherd-Rao -Part-time Chaplains for 400, 3 East, 3 West, CVICU, MSICU and Day Surgery
Lisa Wood -Administrative Support
Three Casual/On-Call Chaplains: Silke Force, Mary-Lynn Forest, and Jenn Hind Urquhart
“I’m inspired by our team and the manner in which they approach their work as ‘service’ to patients, families and staff and, especially, the way this reflects the mission and values of our hospital and the broader St. Joe’s Health System to which we belong,” says Gary Payne. “I’m grateful for their enthusiastic response and active participation in equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, our recent Pride flag-raising ceremony at SMGH. And, especially for their leadership in the development of the SMGH Smudging Policy helping to ease access to this most important spiritual practice for our Indigenous patients who wish to experience it as part of their healing while in our hospital.”
During the pandemic, how the team provided spiritual care shifted and adapted to supporting families and patients who were alone, and by using the phone to include family in end-of-life care prayers and rituals. As well, a greater emphasis was put on supporting staff during stressful periods of outbreak. Some initiatives included a joke of the day, a weekly inspirational email, spiritual reflections at huddles, presence at debriefs, “Reflective Pause” screensavers and posters.
The team appreciates all referrals from the inter-disciplinary team and encourages everyone to lean on them, talk to them at rounds, send requests for spiritual care through Cerner consults, or call them by phone with more urgent or time-sensitive needs. Spiritual care continues on through the legacy left by the Sisters of St. Joseph caring for the entire person—physically, emotionally and spiritually—with compassion, respect and inclusivity.
Thank you to St. Mary’s Spiritual Care Team for caring for our patients, families and staff.