As integral interdisciplinary care team members, chaplains work closely with other staff members. They visit patients and families to assess their emotional and spiritual well-being, inner strengths and support systems. Personalized interventions may include prayer, gratitude practices, active listening and meditation. Houston Methodist Clear Lake strives to connect with every patient at least once before discharge. However, this can be a significant challenge with the fast-paced nature of care. That's why collaboration with bedside nurses is essential—especially for patients experiencing emotional distress, receiving new diagnoses or feeling anxiety before procedures. Nurse-initiated consults help chaplains prioritize where they are most needed. We've seen firsthand how a patient’s recovery can improve when they feel heard and supported, often becoming more receptive to their care team.

To ensure that all staff understand the importance of holistic care, chaplains at Houston Methodist Clear Lake provide training during new employee onboarding. This session introduces the role of spiritual care in the hospital setting and equips staff with tools to recognize and respond to patients' emotional and spiritual needs. The training also emphasizes the importance of self-care and encourages staff to seek support when needed. By embedding these values from the outset, we cultivate a culture where compassion, presence and whole-person care are integral to everyday practice.

Since 1963, Houston Methodist has been honored to care for more than 11,000 organ recipients, with nearly one-third of our inpatient population as pre- or post-transplant patients. This year, the J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center is on pace to perform approximately 800 organ transplants. Every transplant patient, their families and caregivers can identify with the emotional struggles described as “…this long, winding road.” At Houston Methodist, many hospital departments and nursing units that serve our patients—our “guests” on the road to organ transplant—staffed by world-class physicians, transplant coordinators, administrators, case workers, physical therapists and dietitians, to name just a few.  From transplant assessment to waiting, to the transplant itself, to recovery and discharge, highly functioning teams are needed in every department and patient care area to support our patients. Medical team members—and those of us called to assist and support throughout a transplant patient’s rehabilitative process—face the challenge of caring for our own emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental well-being to bring our very best to those we serve. Patients often share these 11 words with us during their transplant journey: “This is the most difficult and scary time of my life.” A vital key to developing and maintaining highly effective teams is our commitment as care team members to actively and systematically pursue feedback from those we serve—whether during an office visit or for very extended hospitalizations. It is not uncommon for listed transplant patients to be cared for as inpatients for many weeks and sometimes even months. Houston Methodist Hospital’s feedback process provides vital opportunities to learn and grow in our commitment to providing unparalleled care and service.  Over the years, we’ve routinely had grateful and elated organ transplant recipients contact transplant team members to say: “Thank you!”—followed by the question: “Are there any ways I can give back to help others who are seeking a transplant?” At Houston Methodist, we currently have three incredible opportunities for those who have successfully navigated “…this long, winding road” to give back and to support others who are hopeful to receive an organ transplant:

1. Digital Storytelling: An opportunity to inspire patients pursuing organ transplants by sharing and recording portions of their transplant stories.
2. Peer Mentoring: A chance for organ recipients to apply to become peer mentors to support others on “…the long, winding road” of organ transplant.
3. Grateful Hearts Singers: This singing group is composed of organ recipients and living organ donors who perform at hospital events. They also offer “Thank You Singing Rounds” on nursing units and to other “healthcare heroes,” who helped them begin life anew.