Center for Spiritual Health Services

Spiritual and holistic care for patients and their families

The Ballad Health Center for Spiritual Health provides for the spiritual and holistic care needs of patients, families, visitors, and Ballad Health team members.

Our trained professional chaplains and volunteer chaplains are committed to providing compassionate care that respects and honors the beliefs, values and needs of each person.

When you need counsel, discernment and support, our chaplains are here for you. We provide support for patients and their loved ones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact a chaplain – any time, day or night

If you would like to contact a chaplain, ask your nurse or dial 0 at any of our hospitals. Professional chaplains from our Center for Spiritual Health, as well as our volunteer chaplains, are available at Ballad Health facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is a hospital chaplain?

Professional hospital chaplains are spiritual and pastoral care providers specially trained to be tuned in and sensitive to the needs of those in a hospital or clinical setting.

Their goal is to provide compassionate support and inspire spiritual well-being in people from all walks of life and of any faith, during times or both ease and challenge.

Professional hospital chaplains offer services as varied as connecting a patient with community resources or helping someone renew a relationship with a loved one.

Chaplains provide these services while being mindful or individual differences, always seeking to encourage a healing environment for those being served.

How can a chaplain help?

We’re here to:

• Listen
• Pray with you
• Provide support
• Encourage you on a spiritual level during grief or loss
• Provide courage and strength when you are confused or discouraged

We also can reach out to your community church or faith group and connect you with community resources you may need.

Spiritual health is critical to healing

At Ballad Health, we believe spiritual care is an important part of the healing process and an important part of your overall health.

Being in the hospital can be a challenging time, whether you're the patient or there to support someone you love. We are here to offer you hope and assistance in a variety of ways when you're in crisis, scared, lonely or grieving.

Support for most major religions

We also have representatives from most major world religions available to meet the faith needs of our patients from various cultures.

A list of representatives from a variety of religious backgrounds is accessible at all Ballad Health facilities to provide appropriate spiritual/emotional support to all our patients and families.

These trained volunteers represent various faiths in our area. They can also assist you in reaching representatives from other faith groups, if needed.

When selecting volunteers, we look for people who will adhere to our Code of Ethics and will attempt to relate to each patient's particular religious understanding without preaching or trying to convert.

Chapel locations

You can find chapels in the following Ballad Health locations: 

• Bristol Regional Medical Center – main entrance level near elevators, on the right side of the cafeteria balcony
• Franklin Woods Community Hospital – main entrance level across the hall from the cafeteria
• Greeneville Community Hospital East – fourth floor across from the elevators and ICU
• Greeneville Community Hospital West – first floor down main entrance hall on the left
• Hancock County Hospital
• Hawkins County Memorial Hospital – first floor
• Holston Valley Medical Center – first-floor hallway between Subway and the radiology department
• Indian Path Community Hospital – first floor next to the glass window Information area
• Johnson City Medical Center – second floor to the left of the visitors’ elevator
• Johnson County Community Hospital – main entrance area to the right of the front door
• Johnston Memorial Hospital – first floor past the cafeteria toward the cancer center
• Lonesome Pine Hospital – main entrance area to the left of the front door
• Mountain View Regional Hospital – main entrance level to the left of the front door
• Niswonger Children’s Hospital – first-floor lobby area
• Norton Community Hospital – first-floor lobby area near the water fountain
• Russell County Hospital – first floor across from the gift shop
• Smyth County Community Hospital – first floor between the main entrance and emergency department
• Sycamore Shoals Hospital – first floor near the emergency department
• Unicoi County Hospital – first floor at the main entrance

Get involved with the Center for Spiritual Health

We have a wonderful team serving the spiritual needs of our patients in both paid and volunteer positions. If you want to get involved, check out our program options below.

Volunteer

Spiritual Health volunteers serve as a resource of hospitality to patients, their families and our fellow team members. They assist our staff of full-time professional chaplains to make sure we are able to address spiritual needs throughout Ballad Health.

To volunteer, please complete the following applications:

• Volunteer Chaplain Program Application   
• Volunteer Chaplain Self Evaluation

Become a chaplain

The Center for Spiritual Health offers a variety of programs for spiritual health training, including:

• Field training for seminary students
• Clinical pastoral education accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education
• Summer internships
• Volunteer hospital chaplain training

Learn More