Think of a need in our community that could use some attention. Your idea is probably among the top ten taken from a recent community survey done by Providence Hood River's Mission Integration and Spiritual Care Department. What? Why would Providence be conducting a community-wide survey?
A professional research firm, Conklin, Fiske & McCormick, created the survey conducted at the end of 2004. Here are some of the results:
- 93% believe Hood River County is an excellent place to live, but there are major concerns in our community regarding jobs, the economy, affordable housing and healthcare.
- 65% said their healthcare needs are met, however, high cost prescription medications continue to be a problem.
- A large percentage of the community does not have insurance, and some residents are deferring healthcare altogether because they can't afford it. This can create another healthcare concern -- stress.
That's where the Providence Spiritual Care team comes in. The hospital's clinically trained chaplains offer spiritual care to anyone in the community and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although Providence Health System is a Catholic-based institution, the Mission Integration & Spiritual Care chaplains understand people have diverse spiritual beliefs; they do not promote a particular theological point of view. In our community, Young says, many consider their spiritual affiliation to be with nature.
The Mission Integration and Spiritual Care chaplains are recognized as being important to the healing process. “But, it's not just the chaplains delivering spiritual care,” says Gary Young. "Every employee at PHRMH is responsible. It has to do with being present in their lives and helping with their journey."
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