At Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, high tech has partnered with high touch. We believe in taking care of our patients from the inside out – spiritually as well as physically. We honor your unique spiritual, physical and emotional needs, as well as your values and beliefs. Recognizing the diversity of spiritual, cultural and religious traditions our patients bring to us, we are committed to respecting all these things as we care for you.
Chaplains
Chaplaincy Services utilizes on-call and volunteer chaplains 24 hours a day to provide guidance and support to our patients and their family members, as well as our staff.
Our chaplains are our spiritual care specialists, caring for those who follow particular faith traditions, for people who are not religious, and for those who are exploring the meaning of life. They have extensive training to allow them to understand, support and advocate for your beliefs and values. We know that your cultural, spiritual and religious beliefs are the guide certain decisions you make about health care. Therefore, our chaplains work with the healthcare team to ensure that your beliefs and values are part of discussions about your medical care.
Our chaplains offer a supportive presence and listening ear. They provide comfort in a crisis, assist with ethical decisions and work to improve communication with the medical team. They understand and respect different world-views, spiritual beliefs and religious traditions and their effect on health. Their goal is to help you draw upon your own spiritual resources. Their care is always provided in the context of your belief system.
To contact our chaplains, call 703-523-0680.
The Worship Room
Our Worship Room provides a quiet, private place for reflection, prayer or meditation. Various resources, such as Bibles, Qurans and nondenominational reading materials are available, as well as soft lighting, a soothing waterfall and an altar.
Services
A variety of interfaith services are held in the Worship Room on a regular basis. Memorial services, weddings, entrustments and staff gatherings are also held in the Worship Room.
If patients are unable to visit the Worship Room in person, they may tune into the live services being offered on our closed circuit channel, Channel 18.
Moment of Meditation
Most Tuesdays from 12:10-2:30 p.m. in the Worship Room, volunteer facilitator, Purnima Sinha, leads a few moments of deep breathing, meditation, centering and spiritual enrichment. All are welcome. This is not a religious service.
Caring for Our Community
Additionally, the Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center Clothing Closet continues to be a source of new clothing for our patients in need. Hospital employees, local church congregations and other community members donate new articles of clothing to stock the closet.