Pastoral Care Services

When you need spiritual support, Eastside Medical Center's Pastoral Care Services Department provides spiritual care and support to patients, families and staff members alike. As members of the healthcare team, chaplains provide a ministry of compassion to persons encountering a full range of medical, emotional and spiritual crises.

Our staff chaplain maintains a regular schedule from 8a.m. – 5p.m., Monday through Friday. In addition, a group of trained and qualified chaplain volunteers, representing diverse denominational backgrounds, assist in providing pastoral care ministry on a 24 hour basis. Community clergy enhance this vital ministry for their congregations.

To request a visit or inquire about other pastoral Care services you may call Reverend Ron Cole, Director of Pastoral Care, at 770-736-2478.  You may also make request upon admission or by contacting the nursing staff. After hours and on weekends, contact the hospital operator to access the chaplain on-call. 

Our Chapel is located on the first floor and is always open for prayer and meditation. The beautiful stained glass windows provide a focal point for reflection. This peaceful, beautiful environment invites persons of all faiths to experience a sense of God’s creating, renewing and sustaining presence. Bibles and other spiritual support resources are available in the chapel and from the chaplain. Communion and other sacramental opportunities are available at bedside upon request.  Seasonal worship services are offered periodically. A regular worship service is provided at our Heritage Center every Sunday at 2pm., as well as Wednesday Prayer at noon, in the Chapel.

What you can expect from the chaplain:

• Respect for personal beliefs, confidentiality and privacy
• Compassionate and reflective listening
• Someone to pray with you
• Provision of sacraments and religious services
• A companion in suffering and celebration
• Information and guidance related to medical ethics, living wills, organ donation and life support decisions
• A link between patients, families, hospital staff, local churches and ministers

For sites that offer spiritual content and spiritual enrichment, click on each of the following:

• Interfaith Calendar
• Judaism
• Bioethics
• Healthcare Ethics
• Professional chaplains I
• Christian Medical & Dental Society
• Christian study/Devotional
• Bible Study