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Hoag’s Pastoral Care Department provides services that meet the spiritual needs of patients and their families, physicians, employees and the community at large. Pastoral care programs and services include:
Pastoral Contact, Conversation and Care for Patients and Families
A ministry of visitation, prayer and spiritual exchange throughout the hospital and community.
Pastoral Counseling
Pastoral Counseling (3-6 sessions) is available for patients and their families, hospital employees, community referrals and referrals from local faith groups.
Bereavement Support Groups
You may participate in the following support groups, which
are made available to you, free of charge, by the Pastoral Care Department at
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. These groups provide the emotional support
that people need to get through their difficult times.
Facing Forward
This group meets on Wednesday evenings from 5:30- 7 p.m., in Hoag Conference Center, Conference Room #6 (rooms may vary- please check schedule near doors). Marilyn Kaplan, LCSW, is the facilitator. It is a general bereavement group offering support to those who have lost a loved one. No registration is required. Over 18 only, please. For more information, please call 949/764-8358.
Life Goes On
This group meets in Hoag Conference Center, Conference Room #3, on Friday nights from 7-8:30 p.m., when the group is in progress. Marilyn Kaplan, LCSW, facilitates this group. This is a time-limited group, meeting for 10 consecutive weeks. Regular attendance is required. To register, call 949/764-8358.
Growth Through Grief
This group meets on Friday evenings from 5-6:30 p.m., in Hoag Conference Center, Conference Room #6. Marilyn Kaplan, LCSW, leads this group, as well. Attendance at Life Goes On or some other bereavement group is a prerequisite for this group. Call 949/764-8358 for details.
Religious Services
- Catholic Mass service: Every Saturday from 4-4:30 p.m. This service satisfies Sunday requirements and Holy Communion is offered. All are welcome.
- Hospital-wide Holiday Worship: Christmas and Good Friday
- Sacramental Services: Communion, Baptism, marriages, blessings
- Literature distribution/Other items: Bibles, books, pamphlets, crosses
- Closed circuit television devotions and religious programs to patient rooms on Channel 12.
Educational Programs
The Pastoral Care Department offers workshops and seminars on topics related to ministry and medicine, supervises ministry with college and seminary students and supports relationships with Hoag Health Ministry (Parish Nurse) programs.
Community Outreach (Chaplains)
Orange County Chapter of Multiple Sclerosis
Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council
History
Partnership with the Presbyterian churches of Orange County began in 1945 with the fund raising efforts of the Rev. Raymond I. Brahams of the Community Presbyterian Church of Laguna Beach, the Rev. O. Scott McFarland of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana, other local churches, civic groups, and matching support from the Hoag Family Foundation. Land was purchased overlooking Newport Harbor and a 75 bed hospital was built, receiving it’s first patient on September 15, 1952. In 1965, Rev. Edward G. Reitz became Hoag’s first chaplain. Five years later the Rev. Wm. Robert Parry succeeded him and expanded services to include a second protestant chaplain, the Rev. Lloyd Sellers, and a Roman Catholic priest. Under the Rev. Parry’s direction, a health ministries/parish nurse program was started. Later the program became a part of Hoag Community Medicine. Following the Rev. Parry’s retirement, the Rev. Dr. Donald Oliver was hired as director in 1992 and Father Joseph Rich joined the staff a few years later and retired in December 2006.
The members of the Pastoral Care staff have enjoyed a very special relationship with Hoag’s founding organization, the Association of Presbyterian Members (made up of two appointees from each congregation in Los Ranchos Presbytery). Together, we have worked to ensure access to the highest quality physical and spiritual care.
Department Staff
Director - Rev. Donald B. Oliver, Ph.D.
Lead Chaplain - Rabbi Susan Conforti, MHL
Chaplain - Evans Mulima
Administrative Assistant - Maxine Tzur
Visitation Committee - Hoag Auxiliary
Eucharistic Ministers - Volunteers from local Catholic parishes
Jewish Volunteers - Chabad of Newport Beach