Department of Pastoral Care Services
Call Pastoral Care
To contact a chaplain, or to arrange for a visit, call 202-865-1587
Howard University Hospital recognizes that religious and spiritual values and beliefs are important, active or sometimes latent resources essential to the total health and well-being of persons admitted as patients in the Hospital.
At the founding of Howard University Hospital in 1863, theology, religious and spiritual support was part of the standards of care.The Department of Pastoral Care Services at Howard University Hospital recognizes that religious and spiritual values and beliefs are important, active or sometimes latent resources essential to the total health and well-being of persons admitted as patients in the Howard University Hospital. The Department of Pastoral Care Services endeavors to provide a component of total care for patients, their family members and other persons involved in their system of care and personal support.
Pastoral care may be related to specific, formal or denominational religious system, but shall not infringe upon the religious beliefs of the patient and shall at all times respect the patient’s right to specific religious beliefs. Pastoral Care Services shall be integrated with the efforts of other professional health care disciplines within the Howard University Hospital. Pastoral care is a part of the total health care of the patient. Pastoral care shall at all times respect the patients’ rights to privacy, confidentiality and all other rights outlined in the Patients Bill of Rights.
The Department of Pastoral Care Services is located on the first floor of the main hospital building, next to the chapel, Room 1-J07. To contact a chaplain, or to arrange for a visit, call 202-865-1587. Chaplains are available or accessible 24 hours a day to meet the spiritual needs and offer support for patients or family members. Your personal clergy or pastor is always welcome to visit and can park free. The Department of Pastoral Care Services validates clergy parking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The hospital chapel is open at all times for prayer, meditation or reflection.
Worship services are conducted on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and on Wednesdays, 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m.. Catholic Mass is provided Sunday from 11:00 – 11:40 a.m. and Fridays at 12:00 noon. The sacraments of The Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick and Reconciliation are available upon request to Catholic patients in their rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide spiritual support to all persons?
Yes, pastoral care and spiritual support is available regardless of religion, faith beliefs or practices.
What type of reading material/literature do you provide?
Upon request, we have inspirational literature for patients, family members and staff.
Do you offer parking validation for clergy?
Yes, 24-hour parking validation is available for clergy with proper identification who are visiting patients/congregants in the hospital. Parking validation is available Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 .p.m from the chaplain’s office, on the first floor, Room 1-J07. During evenings, weekends and holidays validation is available in the Emergency Care Area booth #3.
What hours is the chapel available?
The chapel is open 24 hours for prayer, meditation, reflection, solitude, etc. Scheduled worship services are provided on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and on Wednesdays, from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. Catholic Mass is provided Sundays from 11:00 a.m. –11:40 a.m. and Fridays from noon until 12:30 p.m.
Does HUH have a Clinical Pastoral Education Program (CPE)?
Howard University Hospital Department of Community Relations and the Department of Pastoral Care Services are in the planning stages of establishing a CPE program. Currently we participate in the field training program for Hospital Ministry/Patient Visitation for students attending Howard University School of Divinity and from other seminaries and theological institutions.
