Frequently Asked Questions

 

  • The Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center is an independent interfaith organization established in 1955 as the Institute of Religion. It was the first nationally accredited chaplaincy program in the nation. A founding member of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center, the Institute has made a meaningful impact by cultivating heart and humanity in healthcare for nearly seven decades.

  • Our mission is to enhance well-being by exploring the relationship between spirituality and health.

  • The word “spirituality” is subject to interpretation, and there are many possible definitions. At the Institute, we offer a view of spirituality as our innate ability to connect with other people, to connect with our environment and other living beings, to connect with the transcendent mystery that many call God but that others choose not to name, and ultimately to connect with our deepest self.

  • The Institute engages in education, research, and direct service programs guided by its four centers of excellence:

    * Rabbi Samuel E. Karff Center for Healthcare Professionals;

    * Center for Body, Spirit, and Mind;

    * Center for End of Life and Aging; and,

    * Center for Faith and Public Health.

    The Institute empowers healthcare professionals, educators, and the general public with skills and resources to enhance their physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being with various programs, including yoga, meditation, and bereavement support. We also organize and host an extensive range of conferences and events. The Institute’s leaders are experts who publish papers and reports on various spirituality, health, and wellness topics. We can consult on various programs and projects at the intersection of spirituality, faith, health, and healthcare.

  • The Institute partners with Texas Medical Center organizations, public health departments, faith communities, and community-based non-profits to bridge spirituality and health amongst staff, members, and clientele. We run cultural competency training, public health interventions, workshops, and research programs, advancing our mission and that of those we collaborate with.

  • As a 501 c3 non-profit organization, the Institute is funded by generous individual, corporate, and foundation donors and grants: financial gifts support programs and initiatives, research projects, and direct services offered by the Institute.

  • The Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center is led by its Board of Trustees under Chairman George Anderson. President and CEO Stuart Nelson supports the Institute’s staff and Board of Trustees in developing and implementing programs and initiatives that bridge religion, spirituality, health, and healing in various contexts. He also works closely with the staff and Board of Trustees to support development and operational priorities.

  • The Institute offers a three-part definition of the relationship between spirituality and health:

    • Spirituality impacts health and healing – Thousands of articles in the medical literature affirm that what we believe and practice impacts our health. Examples include regular meditation, lowering blood pressure, the power of prayer, and the support that faith communities can provide in times of crisis.

    • Health and healing impact spirituality – When someone experiences a health challenge, loses a loved one, receives a chronic illness diagnosis, or wrestles with mental health struggles, it can have a profound impact on their beliefs and practices and the communities they are part of.

    • Cultural Diversity—The beliefs and practices of different religious traditions and ways of life influence how people think about health and healthcare. Examples include (but are not limited to) dietary laws and customs, prohibitions against certain medical procedures, gender dynamics in health settings, end-of-life preferences, and the incorporation of complementary and adjunctive techniques.

  • Each year, the Institute hosts the Nursing Conference, Psychotherapy and Faith Conference, the National Conference on Medicine and Religion, and Silent Nights: Grief, Stress and Coping During the Holidays. Additionally, the Institute presents the Rabbi Samuel E. Karff Caring Heart Award at an annual Gathering of Friends, typically held in November. This award honors an organization or individual for outstanding service to the community. In the past, we honored first responders, nurses, physicians, medical students, food service workers, City of Houston police and firefighters, and other notable servant leaders.