ELKINS, WV–Davis Medical Center recently welcomed the Rev. Dina Andrews as Lead Chaplain and Pastoral Care Coordinator. In her new role, Andrews will provide enhanced support to patients, families, staff and volunteers to expand on the volunteer chaplaincy program the hospital has had in place for many years.
“As a mission-based, not-for-profit hospital, we are committed to meeting the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of our community,” said Davis Health System Foundation Executive Director Mike Bell, who helped institute the Chaplaincy Program.
The Rev. Andrews previously served as an Associate Staff Chaplain at Camden Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg and recently completed her Clinical Pastoral Education Residency at Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio. The extensive training prepared her to provide spiritual care to patients of all faith traditions and to those without religious affiliations in order to contribute to their overall well-being, improve their satisfaction and positively impact their health outcomes.
“Through pastoral care I hope to be a source of support for our patients and families spiritually and emotionally, help alleviate stress, and promote healing,” said Andrews.
According to a report from the Healthcare Chaplaincy Network, patients and families prioritize spirituality in the health care setting, and studies consistently demonstrate that there is a positive relationship between spirituality and health and well-being.
The report, “Spiritual Care: What It Means, Why It Matters in HealthCare,” also points to various studies which concluded that integrating chaplaincy care into health care directly enhances patients’ overall expressions of satisfaction with the care they receive at a hospital.
“We are confident that our new Lead Chaplain will help patients, families, and hospital staff to connect to their own spiritual beliefs and traditions – even in the midst oillness or grief. We’re already seeing a difference in our patients’ experience at Davis Medical Center,” Bell said.
