Pastoral Care Services

At Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute (PPI), Polyclinic Campus, we offer pastoral care services for patients, family members and staff. These services have been developed to meet the spiritual needs and interests of different religious and cultural traditions. The Chaplain leads a spirituality group on each unit once a week. The day, times and locations are as follows:
 

Monday: 10:45 a.m.  5 Landis
Tuesday: 10 a.m.      5 Memorial
Thursday: 10 a.m.     6 Memorial
 Friday: 10 a.m.        4 Memorial

Spirituality Group
 

The Spirituality Group is an optional interfaith group for patients. Children under the age of 14 must have a signed consent form from a parent or guardian to attend this group.

Individual Visits
 

To request a visit with the chaplain, simply say “yes” to the “Would you like a visit from the Chaplain?” or ask a staff member to call on your behalf. Children under the age of 14 must have a signed consent form from a parent or guardian in order to allow one-on-one chaplain visits.  

There are also liaisons for some non-protestant faith groups, including Quaker, Muslim, Jehovah Witness, Latter Day Saints, Buddhist, Jewish and Catholic. The chaplain can also call a patient’s spiritual leader on their behalf.

Religious Resources

There are Bibles and devotionals in English, Spanish and large print on each floor.  Patients interested in another religious resource should speak to the chaplain. 

You may email Chaplain Ellen Doughty or call (717) 782-4794 to contact her. Hours of availability are Monday - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays & Thursdays - 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and  Friday 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.