Chaplaincy

Interfaith chaplains are on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide support, spiritual assessment, and a listening ear to our patients and their families. A chaplain is not a religious leader, but an individual with special training in counseling, and knowledge of many different religions and spiritual beliefs who can work with patients individually to help them use their spiritual, faith background to deal with crisis. Chaplains can help clarify, evaluate, and understand each patient’s own spiritual strengths and weaknesses. Chaplains collaborate with a patient’s own spiritual leader or faith group to coordinate spiritual care, and may also assist with Advance Care Planning (living wills and assigning power of attorney for healthcare decisions).

Gordon Putnam is the Cancer Center Staff chaplain and is assigned to the Department of Neuro-Oncology. More information about the chaplaincy at UVa and the services available can be found on their website http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/chaplaincy/home.cfm.

Contact information:
Gordon Putnam,
Chaplain
Telephone: 434-924-2477
Email: gp4d@virginia.edu