BUSHWICK — A NEW PILOT PROGRAM IN maternal health chaplaincy has been launched at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull in northern Brooklyn, the city’s public hospital system announced via press release on Friday.
The Trauma-Informed Maternal Health Chaplaincy Volunteer Program is a new opportunity for seminarians and community-based clergy interested in the intersection of hospital chaplaincy and maternal health. This two-year program offers participants the opportunity to gain hands-on experience providing trauma-informed spiritual care in a hospital setting while serving pregnant and postpartum patients and their families. Volunteer chaplains will support patients experiencing spiritual distress related to pregnancy, including pregnancy loss, intimate partner violence, previous traumatic birth experiences, and other life challenges such as food insecurity, housing instability and mental health concerns.
Chaplaincy care, available to patients of all faith traditions and those with no religious affiliation, will emphasize compassionate presence, emotional support and patient-centered care. Interested seminarians and community-based faith leaders are encouraged to apply via the Faith Based Initiatives Team at [email protected].
The new initiative builds on NYC Health + Hospitals’ Introduction to Hospital Chaplaincy Volunteer program, a 14-week internship where trained faith leaders interested in hospital chaplaincy gain experience at the bedside.
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