Caring for your mind, body and spirit.

Since the founding of HSHS St. Mary's Hospital, we have been caring for our patients in a holistic way, meeting the needs of their bodies, minds and spirits. As part of The Hospital Sisters Health System, whose mission is to reveal and embody Christ's healing love for all people through our high quality Franciscan health care ministry, St. Mary's is Decatur's only faith-based hospital.

In addition to the exceptional medical care we provide, we also have professional chaplains available 24 hours every day to offer spiritual and emotional support to our patients, their families and staff. Chaplains closely collaborate with religious leaders of all faiths to provide seamless support for our patients, especially during times of uncertainty. They serve as liaisons between the health care team and the family during crisis, and they are a wonderful resource for patients and families in discussing with them the patient's wishes, especially when, at times, ethical decisions need to be made. They provide opportunities for prayer, sacraments and spiritual rituals the patient and/or family may desire.

Chaplains are available to discuss organ/tissue donation, explain Advance Directives (Living Will, Power of Attorney for Healthcare, Do Not Resuscitate), and to assist those who want to complete these documents. A chaplain also serves on the Ethics Committee at St. Mary's and is available to explain the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services and to assist patients and their families in applying these guidelines especially in making appropriate moral and ethical decisions.