Chaplains are on-call to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their families. From visits by one of our volunteer chaplains to devotional materials, we want to provide comfort and support to your mind and spirit while
your body heals. If you indicate a church affiliation to one of our room visitors, we will contact your church regarding your hospitalization. Your clergy is always welcome to visit.
Request a Chaplain
Union Hospital Terre Haute
The Chaplain's Office is located on the Lower Level of Union Hospital East just past the Gift Shop. Our hours are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. A chaplain can be reached at any time by calling the hospital operator (dial "0"
from patient room or 812.238.7000 from external line).
Union Hospital Clinton
To request a chaplain of your own faith or to have your clergy notified, dial "0" and ask for the Chaplain's Assistant or talk to your nurse.
Visit a Chapel
Union Health has three chapels available to patients and patient families - two at Union Hospital in Terre Haute and one at Union Hospital Clinton. The chapels are open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Special services are held throughout
the year. If you are a patient, please tell your nurse if you wish to visit the chapel.
The Robert Westrup Memorial Chapel
The Robert Westrup Memorial Chapel is located on the lower level of the east building at Union Hospital in Terre Haute. While you are in the chapel, feel free to write prayer requests in our prayer book. We have a network
of volunteers and employees who will pray for your need. Catholic patients who would like to receive daily communion need to notify our office. Various parishes have communion ministers who visit the hospital and could accommodate your
request. Please contact us if you would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick.
The Combs Memorial Chapel at Union Hospital Terre Haute
The Combs Memorial Chapel is located on the lower level of the west building at Union Hospital in Terre Haute.
The Don Perry Chapel at Union Hospital Clinton
The Don Perry Chapel is located on the ground floor next to the Admitting Office.
Make a Prayer Request
Please send your prayer requests to Chaplain Melody Kinder Carpenter at: mkinder@union.health.
No One Dies Alone
"No one is born alone, so no one should have to die alone."
The No One Dies Alone (NODA) program was first developed and implemented at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, Oregon in 2001 by a nurse whose patient passed away alone. NODA is now a nationally known program.
Mission Statement
To provide patients who are actively dying with compassionate and comforting care so the patient can have a dignified death.
Goals and Objectives
- To provide compassionate and comforting care to patients who are dying alone.
- To support patients who are dying by giving them a dignified and meaningful death.
Patient Criteria for NODA Vigil
- Patient is receiving comfort care.
- Patient has DNR status.
- Patient is likely to transition in 48-72 hours.
- Patient has no family or friends available for a vigil.
Compassionate Companion Volunteer Tips
- Always focus on the patient and his/her needs and wishes first.
- Provide a comforting presence without aiding in direct patient care.
- Demonstrate gentleness, friendliness, and kindness.
- Hold the patient's hand, read, pray, play calming music.
- Be present and attentive to the patient.
- Be sensitive to patient's cultural and spiritual needs and transitions.
- Be courteous to staff.
Ethics of NODA
One of the values at Union Hospital is integrity, meaning to be honest and ethical. Following Union Health's hospital policies and procedures is essential to ethically serve patients who are dying. Providing end-of-life comfort to patients who are dying includes implementing and following ethical principles that are in place.
Ethical Principles and Qualities of No One Dies Alone
Beneficence - to "do good"
- Always act in a manner that best serves our patients.
- Provide the benefit of a dignified death.
- Commit to providing compassionate and comforting care to our patients.
Nonmaleficence - to do no harm
- Provide patients who are dying with a dignified death.
- Commit to providing a non-sufferable death.
Justice - fairness
- Provide all patients with the opportunity to die with others present.
- Commit to providing compassionate end-of-life comfort to all patients.
Fidelity - trust
- Always do what you say you will do.
- Adhere to policies and procedures in place.
- Commit and respect our patients' values.
- Communicate appropriately with staff.
Directions to become a NODA Compassionate Companion
- Complete the online volunteer application - indicate NODA
- NODA phone coordinator will contact you for an interview and provide information about becoming a Compassionate Companion volunteer.
- Attend two training sessions.
Already a volunteer for NODA?
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