 Hospital chaplains are available around the clock at Penobscot Valley Hospital to provide spiritual support for patients, family members, and hospital staff in times of need. Chaplains work closely with the patient care staff at PVH and are an integral part of the healthcare team.
With the addition of four new chaplains this spring (Alice Lester, Rich Pante, Roy Richardson, and Michael Robinson), there are a total of 13 hospital chaplains available to patients at PVH. Other chaplains include: Keith Cushman, Jason Johnstone, Moses Karikala, Wayne & Ruth Perry, Tim Shaw, and Mark York. Vince Hartford and Wade Shaefer are available for fill in coverage when needed.
These chaplains share the responsibilities of making rounds three times each week and take call 24-hours a day. Chaplains are available to provide spiritual support to help patients who may be experiencing spiritual distress during their hospital stay. For people in emotionally vulnerable states, those who have been newly disabled, or those facing a life-threatening illness, calling on a chaplain can be a very important encounter. While PVH chaplains do not take the place of a person’s own spiritual advisor, they may provide support in conjunction with him/her. The spiritual services they provide are interfaith.
"Penobscot Valley Hospital chaplains have been providing this volunteer service since April, 1984,” explains Mike Corbin, LSW, PVH Social Worker and Chairman of the Chaplaincy Committee. “They've received special training in Hospital Chaplaincy, not only providing direct support to patients and their families, but also to the medical providers and hospital staff who deal with crisis every day in the lives of patients and families. It's comforting to see a chaplain in the hospital, to know they're there, or just a phone call away."
Chaplains are also available to provide support to families of patients. Their genuine, caring interest can be very soothing in a time of need. Whether they are called in for a patient visitation or to help a family through the grieving process, chaplains at PVH truly care about the health and well being of all the people in our community.
Photo caption: Rich Pante, Alice Lester, Michael Robinson, Keith Cushman, Tim Shaw, and Jason Johnstone are some of the Hospital Chaplains available to patients and their families during their stay at Penobscot Valley Hospital.
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