The Chaplaincy Program at Marin General provides emotional and spiritual support services for all patients and their families and friends. These services are available around the clock, 7 days a week. It is an interfaith, non-sectarian service that is available to all, regardless of religious affiliation or faith tradition or lack of the same. Our purpose is to assist patients and others through difficult or stressful times. We offer assistance for patients in finding and using emotional and spiritual resources during illness and support for family and friends during times of anxiety, loss and grief.

Chaplains also assist patients and families with understanding and completing Advance Health Care Directives and with resolving bioethical and end of life concerns and dilemmas. Marin General chaplains are able to arrange for ministry from the clergy of patient and family preference.

The Chaplaincy Program also provides emotional and spiritual services for hospital staff as needed or requested. A chaplain may be contacted at any time through the hospital operator at (415) 925-7000.

A Community Resource

The Chaplaincy Service at Marin General Hospital is an interfaith, non-sectarian service that is available to all patients, families and friends. Chaplains perform many duties as part of the overall health care team. Our purpose is to assist patients and others through difficult or stressful times.

The Chaplaincy Service provides:

• Assistance for patients in finding and using emotional and spiritual resources during illness.

• Support for family and friends during times of anxiety, loss and grief.

• Active support during life crisis when patients are in need.

• A response to requests for referrals from the staff and the community.

• Comfort and strength of prayer and the sacraments upon request.

• Counsel and support to hospital staff.

We Work With Community Clergy

The Chaplaincy Service works with the clergy of the community by:

• Informing clergy when a congregation member is hospitalized.

• Arranging ministry from the clergy of the patient’s preference.

We Are Here to Help Patients, Families, and Their Friends

• Referring patients to appropriate spiritual and human service resources in the community.

• The Chaplain is an active member of the hospital’s Bioethics Committee and assists patients and families with resolving bioethical concerns and dilemmas.

Professional Education and Training

Onsite training and education in pastoral care, crisis intervention and spiritual support are offered to clergy, theological students and selected laypeople, primarily at MGH. Chaplain trainees serve terms of 12 months under the supervision of the coordinator of Chaplaincy Services at Marin General Hospital. During this time, they learn to function effectively in an acute medical setting.

Chaplaincy fund

The generous support of individuals, congregations, corporations and foundations helps fund the services and educational training for the Chaplaincy Service. We encourage contributions.

If you can help, please:

Call (415) 925-7414 to arrange a tax-wise gift of stock or,

Mail your tax-deductible contribution to:

Marin General Hospital Foundation

P.O. Box 708

Novato, CA 94948

All gifts, donations and bequests are deductible under federal and state regulations. For more information, please call the Marin General Hospital Foundation at (415) 925-7770.

We Are Here For You

We’re here to assist patients and their families through stressful and often critical times. We offer support, consultation and comfort. Philanthropy supports many vital programs at Marin General Hospital, including the interns which enable us to provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week coverage. Your tax deductible contribution will be gratefully acknowledged.

Contact Bruce Murphy, Coordinator of Chaplaincy Services at (415) 925-7147 for more information.