Faith at Advocate

Every day, we are privileged to witness inspirational stories. Patients overcoming challenges. Families bonding together. Lives moving forward in transformational ways.

At the center of this, is a belief that health care is vitally connected to spiritual care.

Our focus upon spiritual care is not about imposing a particular set of religious beliefs on our patients or families. We understand spirituality as that which gives meaning and purpose to life – and we respect each person’s spirituality. Our goal is to help each individual access spiritual and religious resources, practices and relationships that will support them throughout their health care journey.

At Advocate Health Care, we have spent more than 100 years caring for the health needs of people and communities. We have learned that one’s relationship with God or spiritual source and others must be a fundamental part of the care we provide.

We assist people in making significant spiritual, emotional and human connections that will support their healing and well-being. This holistic approach is integrated into our care, our vision and our relationships with patients. We see the positive difference it can make. Every day.

Our spiritual values

Spiritual beliefs

  • Advocate, faithful to its religious heritage and affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ, provides health care that is rooted in a belief that all persons are created in the image of God.
  • We affirm the worth and spiritual freedom of all persons and seek to treat them with respect and dignity.
  • We believe that health encompasses physical, emotional, relational, ethical and spiritual concerns and that God is the source of all healing.
  • We believe that spiritual practices and supportive relationships enhance health and well-being.

Spiritual hospitality

  • Advocate welcomes persons from all faith traditions, as well as persons with no faith affiliation to all of our programs of care.
  • We provide all modes of care in a manner that respects each person's faith tradition.
  • We value the contribution of each faith community to the health of individuals, families and communities.

Spiritual care

  • All Advocate hospitals have chaplains that offer spiritual care to all persons of any faith tradition and to those without a faith affiliation.
  • Advocate chaplains are aware of diverse religious and cultural beliefs and practices and special needs surrounding significant life passages.
  • Our chaplains offer spiritual care as integral members of multi- disciplinary teams, fostering a holistic philosophy and promoting inter-professional partnerships.
  • Chaplains and medical ethicists are available to assist patients and families in resolving issues that involve ethical and/or religious values and concerns. Advocate chaplains partner to support the relationships that patients and families have to their faith communities.