Pastoral Services

The pastoral services staff at UF Health seeks to provide spiritual support for patients and their family members by providing spiritual counseling, participation in consultations, sharing sacraments and other rituals of faith and being available as supportive personas who can listen objectively to the concerns voiced to them.

There are two chaplains. If a patient is in need of a spiritual leader from a specific faith perspective (i.e. Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, etc), pastoral services will assist in locating a representative of the specific faith.

Chaplains are available 24 hours a day. If you wish to consult with a chaplain to coordinate the spiritual care of a patient, please call 5-0224 to make a referral and to be connected with the appropriate clergy. After 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends and holidays, chaplains are available for emergencies

UF Health Shands Hospital

Interfaith Chapel

The Interfaith Chapel is always open for prayer and meditation and is located on the first floor across from the cafeteria in room 1211. The following programs are offered:

• Catholic Mass
  Celebrated Tuesdays through Saturdays at noon.
• Baha’I Devotionals
  Conducted upon request: please contact Mojdeh Bannister at (352) 594-5521
• Muslim Congregational Prayer (Juma’ah)
  Conducted on Fridays from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital

Sanctuaries of Silence and Peace

The Sanctuaries of Silence and Peace are located on the second floor mezzanine in room 2002. These quiet spaces offer patients and families a place for prayer, meditation, solace, and reflection. The following programs are offered:

• Beginners meditation class
  Meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

UF Health Neuromedicine and Heart & Vascular Hospitals

Sanctuary of Wisdom

The Sanctuary of Wisdom is located off of the second floor mezzanine (look for stop 6). This sacred space offers patients and families a place for prayer, meditation, solace, and reflection.

Garden of Hope

The Garden of Hope with its pond, butterfly garden and walking paths offers a quiet place of beauty to pause and reflect. The garden also features tributes to loved ones living with cancer and those who have defeated cancer. The garden also serves as a place for public events.