Spiritual Support
Chaplains provide respectful, spiritual, and emotional care to people of all faiths and spiritualities, including those who identify themselves as non-religious or non-spiritual. They lead worship services, meditation sessions, and educational classes, and can assist in locating religious and spiritual resources and communities.
Spiritual and Religious Care
As chaplains, we make ourselves available to walk beside people on their journey, both in times of struggle and in times of joy. We seek to sustain, guide, and nurture spiritual and emotional well-being through relationships, conversations, rituals, and symbols.
How we care for patients and families
Illness can be a painful, frightening, and isolating experience full of uncertainties and loss. Sometimes illness can push one to the point of experiencing spiritual and emotional chaos, pain, and distress. But it can also be an opportunity to celebrate, change, and experience expressions of being cared for in new ways.
SCCA chaplains listen attentively to people to understand and to participate with them as much as possible within the person's spiritual, cultural, and personal frame of reference. We converse in a supportive and inquiring manner, rather than impose our perspective upon another person. For those who have no identifiable spirituality, pastoral care may be supportive companionship. We are always available to be called upon for urgent needs.
Pastoral services are available to patients at any stage of their treatment process at SCCA, UW Medical Center, or Seattle Children's. For pastoral care at Seattle Children's, contact the manager of Pastoral Care at (206) 987-4363. Chaplains are available to lead worship, meditative, and educational services; help people know about and get connected to local faith and/or spiritual communities; and provide resources such as sacred texts, inspirational and self-help literature, meditation and relaxation tapes, and other spiritual resources.
Click Places of Worship to see a list of religious institutions in the Seattle area.
For the KING-5 video special about the work of one of our chaplains, Rev. Debra Jarvis, click here.
Who we are
Staff chaplains at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance are typically certified chaplains. This means that we are accountable to the institution, to a national certifying body, and to a particular faith tradition. Minimal requirements are a professional Masters degree in theological studies, one year of full-time clinical education in a health-care setting, and endorsement by a faith group. We follow a code of ethics that requires respectful care for all persons.
- Stephen King, Manager
- Mia Baumgartner, Staff Chaplain
- Daniel Hinds, Staff Chaplain
- Jennifer Jenkins, Staff Chaplain
- Geila Rajaee, Fellow
- JoAn Choi, Catholic Chaplain
- Trudy James, Per Diem Chaplain
- Debra Jarvis, Per Diem Chaplain
For more information, or to speak with a chaplain, please call (206) 288-1099 or e-mail us at pastoral@seattlecca.org. Or ask your nurse, social worker, or other staff person to call us for you.
For pediatric inpatient care, please call (206) 987-2000 and ask for a chaplain. Martha Dimmers is the Manager of Pastoral and Spiritual Care at Seattle Children’s.
Places of Worship
The SCCA chaplain has created a list of spiritual, religious, and non-denominational places of worship where you may find comfort.Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is located on the first floor of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Clinic Building.Pastoral Care
See what pastoral care at SCCA is all about.Contact a Chaplain
SCCA chaplains are here for you when you want someone to talk to who will be able to connect with you on a level other than just medical.Spiritual and Religious Tool
To be respectful of you, we invite you to use this tool. Your responses can be helpful for private reflection or areas to exploration with someone else.Wellness Programs
SCCA is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our patients. We support patients and caregivers with all aspects of living with cancer.
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Find a physician by name, diagnosis, or clinical specialty.
Patient Guide to Clinical Studies
Find out more about clinical studies, what they are, and how to participate in them.
Find out more about clinical studies, what they are, and how to participate in them.
Map & Directions
Driving directions to SCCA on South Lake Union.
Driving directions to SCCA on South Lake Union.