Attitudes & World View

In contrast to the previous large group dialogue, rather than moving to the next segment before the conversation is exhausted as you will for the first three vignettes, let each participant have the opportunity to state his or her personal commitment. After their comment point out that we learned and will continue to learn about bedside spirituality from the relationships we have in the hospital. Another component of bedside spirituality relates to our attitude and our world view. Those who are dying can have great wisdom in this arena, but rarely do we pause to hear their thoughts. The story of Rev. Tom Stoll can help us. Tom came to St. Vincent hospital after working for 20 years in parish ministry with the Episcopal Church. He enrolled as a chaplain intern and was assigned to our surgery and recovery departments. Over the eighteen months of his internship the atmosphere in the operating rooms slowly changed. Episodes of anger and foul language became less frequent. He talked with individuals, prayed with patients and organized a prayer group for the staff that met early, before the day’s operations began. He was very popular. When he completed his training, the hospital hired him immediately to continue his work. We will continue Tom's story next time.