Sibley Memorial Hospital proudly houses a dedicated team of professional staff chaplains and hosts a nationally accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program. Our Chaplaincy Services team is committed to addressing the spiritual needs of individuals from various backgrounds, including those without a specific faith identity. We aim to facilitate personal growth and well-being by assisting individuals in finding meaning and utilizing spiritual coping mechanisms drawn from personal, familial, communal, and religious resources.

We firmly believe in the importance of faith, values, and spiritual practices for healing and thriving. Our chaplains are crucial in promoting a holistic understanding of health and recognizing the interconnected nature of spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being within the clinical domain. They provide support in various areas, including crisis intervention, guidance through life transitions, compassionate accompaniment during moments of grief, and offering spiritual counsel and direction.

Additionally, our chaplains are available to offer attentive listening, facilitate prayer, administer sacraments, and engage in discussions on ethical concerns and decision-making processes. They also assist individuals in making healthcare decisions, offer guidance on end-of-life concerns, and provide support before and after surgery.

Volunteer opportunities within the Department of Chaplaincy Services at Sibley Memorial Hospital require registration through the Department of Volunteer Services. For more information, please click on the volunteer link.

Our chaplains are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with 24/7 on-call availability for urgent needs. To connect with a chaplain, please dial the operator at 202-537-4000.

What does a chaplain do?

Prayer and Contemplation Areas

Interfaith Chapel

Chaplaincy Services boasts a distinguished history spanning over 50 years, marked by unwavering dedication. This legacy is deeply intertwined with Sibley Memorial Hospital's roots as a Methodist institution established in the late 19th century.

The Leonard Memorial Chapel, situated on the first floor of the Main Hospital (Building C) adjacent to the main elevators, is a sanctuary for prayer, meditation, and solace accessible 24/7. All individuals are warmly welcomed to avail themselves of its offerings.

Patients can watch a live broadcast of our Mid-Week Mass in their inpatient hospital rooms every Wednesday at 1:00 pm by tuning in to channel 67. Additionally, channels 58, 59, and 60 offer Jewish Life TV, TBN (Christian Television Network), and EWTN (Catholic-themed programming), respectively, for viewing enjoyment.

Chaplaincy Services is excited to unveil two new prayer and reflection spaces in mid-2024, specifically tailored for our Jewish and Muslim patients, families, and staff members.