For twenty-five years the Episcopal Hospital Chaplaincy (EHC) has modeled mutual and cooperative ministry between The Episcopal Church in New Hampshire and Vermont in a joint commitment to provide an Episcopal Chaplain at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. It is an enduring example of how our two dioceses together provide a faithful pastoral presence to Episcopal patients served by the DHMC. EHC is a “lantern to our feet and a light upon our path (Ps 119:105)” showing us a promising way ahead.

DHMC draws patients from all over our region and beyond. It is not unusual for a patient to arrive by helicopter, facing serious challenges far from their family and home parish. Every year, our chaplain visits close to 500 hospitalized Episcopalians from over 100 towns in New Hampshire and Vermont. Our chaplain:

• supports Episcopalians and their families at a time of great vulnerability;
• can coordinate pastoral care with their home parish;
• serves as a full member of the patient’s care team and provides support to members of the DHMC staff.

In a time of medical crisis, it’s easy to forget to let people know that a pastoral need has arisen. With the patient's permission, our chaplain can inform the local parish of the need to pray for and visit a parishioner in need. Sometimes patients who have fallen out of contact with their local parish can be reconnected, so that they can get the ongoing support they need after returning home. No matter what, our chaplain ministers on behalf of the whole church.