Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care at UTMB Available at all hospitals.

As an anchor holds a ship in place, chaplains help others find their anchor – what can hold them in place, what can give them hope in difficult times. The UTMB Health department of pastoral care provides for the spiritual needs of patients, family members, and staff in a manner respectful of their personal beliefs.

A chaplain is available to:

• assist people of all faiths to practice their faith while in the hospital
• listen to concerns and frustrations
• pray
• provide spiritual/religious literature
• provide grief and bereavement support
• provide companionship and compassion to each person without judgment or discrimination
• contact local clergy
• advocate for the patient and family
• help facilitate communication between the patient, family, and medical staff
• address spiritual concerns to help guide patient and/or family through making medical decisions
• explore meaning of life with a patient or family member as a result of a health crisis
• provide comfort when anxious

Chaplains are available 24/7. Chaplains are in house Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Galveston, League City, Clear Lake, and Angleton-Danbury campuses. Chaplains are available on-call in the evenings, weekends, and holidays. To reach the on-call chaplain, call the operator at (409) 772-1131 or (409) 772-4004.

UTMB Chaplains

TDCJ Pastoral Care

The TDCJ chaplain’s office’s ministry is dealing with hospitalized offenders with illness, surgery, and the terminally ill offenders. They contact families of the offenders when they are on the Serious/Critical list and talk with them on a daily basis.

Families and staff may contact the TDCJ Chaplain’s office by calling (409) 772-6191 or leave a message at (409) 772-6108. The Chaplain’s office is open 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.

Please contact the office above if you are interested in becoming a volunteer in the TDCJ hospital.