Ways to Get Involved
Join us as we continue to build the bridge between faith and health in the Memphis community and in the rest of the world. Here are a few ways you can get involved:
Join the Congregational Health Network
Make sure your congregation is part of the Congregational Health Network. If not, your congregational leader can contact the Navigator listed for the hospital nearest your congregation. Then, your congregation will appoint a Congregational Liaison to help members access their benefits. This Congregational Liaison works closely with a CHN Navigator, who is an employee of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. These two persons work together to answer your questions, build on your strengths, schedule educational outreach for your congregation, and provide support and follow-up care should you need to go to the hospital.
If you need to be admitted to a Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare hospital, upon admission you will be asked if you are a member of the Congregational Health Network and if you would like your Congregation to be part of your care. It is important to remember that you can decide whether or not to involve your church at that time.
But, with your permission, the congregational liaison will:
- Contact a visitation team from your congregation
- Determine what your needs are during your stay (Will you need communion? Do you need your pets taken care of at home?, etc.)
- Assess your needs upon discharge from the hospital (Do you need a ride home? Will someone need to pick-up prescriptions for you or get you to a follow-up appointment?, etc.)
- Direct you to resources that will help you understand the treatment plan designed by your doctor and help you access the appropriate level of care for your health needs.
- Alert you to training and information through the Congregational Health Network in a variety of areas including Hospital Visitation Training, Care for the Dying, and for specific diseases and other needs defined by the congregations.
Volunteer with Methodist Healthcare
Join hundreds of individuals like you that are currently sharing in the healing ministry of the hospital in many diverse roles. The Volunteer Services department actively recruits volunteers to support the staff in many areas of the hospital aimed at impacting patient and family-centered care. Below are just a few of the volunteer positions available at Methodist Healthcare:
- Greeter: Greets and directs patients and visitors entering the hospital offering them a first eye-to-eye welcome that puts them at ease.
- Information Representative: Opens the information desk, greets and assists visitors by providing hospital directions, patient room information and performing other duties.
- Patient Escort: Assists patients from curbside to requested department and/or to their vehicle upon discharge from requesting department. Hospitals are built over many years and can be quite confusing, especially in a first visit under stress. Walking with a companion is a huge comfort and practical help.
- Clerical Support: Assists visitors with hospital directions and patient room information. Answers telephone. Performs other duties such as operating copier, assists with filing, etc.
- Spiritual Care Volunteer: Greets and welcomes patients in their rooms, and identifies if they would like to visit with anyone from the Spiritual Care department. Provide non-sectarian spiritual care with all patients and be sensitive to the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual state and need of each patient.
- Compassionate Companion: Provide non-clinical services to patients by collaborating with the clinical staff, such as a link between patients and medical staff, a companionship for the patient and families, and emotional and spiritual support for patients and families.
Complete the online volunteer application. To volunteer at one of our adult hospitals, please call 901.516.7481 or e-mail Johnekia Catron.
Donate to Connect Faith & Health
It may already be obvious to you, but very, very little of the ambitious work of the Center of Excellence in Faith & Health is covered under any private or government reimbursement plan. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is doing this because of a deep commitment to its mission and values. This work is only possible because of many individuals and foundations that share that mission is the most practical way possible—by trusting us with money and resources to continue this journey.
The Center of Excellence in Faith & Health physical space was established on the generous founding gift from Dr. Ralph and Barbara Hamilton. Other donors include the Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation, The Assisi Foundation, First Tennessee Foundation, Hyde Family Foundations and a host of individuals who support the mission and vision of this center.
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has also allocated significant resources including staff, leadership, land, financial support and more to explore how we can leverage the faith assets of Memphis for improved health status and increased access.
Other leaders have also donated critically needed funds to help explore these unchartered resources. Join with us and donate to Faith & Health.
Join the Conversation Online
You may live down the block from the hospital, or be reading this is Nepal, Congo, Norway or Kazakhstan, but you can still stay in lively conversation by following new thoughts and ideas that sometimes show up first in Gary Gunderson's Leading Causes of Life blog. It's informal and on-the-edge of what is emerging from this innovative group of hardworking, creative partners. Join us!