Discussion offers the public an open dialogue about the practices and rituals of religious groups
February 15, 2007
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
Indianapolis, February 15, 2007 – On Tuesday, March 6 at 9:30 a.m., Wishard Health Services invites the public to attend a free educational program on the various religious practices that people may encounter in the healthcare community. The program is titled Religious Faith and Practice in Healthcare: A Community Forum. The two-hour program will include representatives from various religious faiths including Buddhist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church), Jehovah's Witnesses, Jewish, Metropolitan Community Church, Muslim, Roman Catholic and Unitarian Universalist faith traditions.
The program is designed to educate Wishard staff members and the community about the practices, rituals and unique concerns of religious groups, with an emphasis on how those issues come into play in the healthcare environment.
"With an ever-growing diversity of spiritual practices on the part of our patients, our need as healthcare professionals to appreciate the importance of a spiritual presence with people of different faiths becomes more and more important," said Father Robert Lyons, lead chaplain for Wishard Health Services. "Each day at Wishard Health Services, our staff faces the challenge of providing care to patients from various religious faiths. Their medical and social needs are important, but for many patients, a connection to their faith tradition is an equally vital part of the support needed during illness and recovery."
For more information about this unique program please contact the Wishard Chaplain's Office at 630-7000. The seminar will be held in the Myers Auditorium, located at Wishard Memorial Hospital, 1001 W. 10th St. All members of the community are welcome to attend. Advance registration is not required. Parking is available in the Wishard Parking Garage, located across from the Wishard Main Entrance on Wishard Blvd.