Mission
Collaborating to improve physical, emotional and spiritual health, while respecting every individual’s faith.

Vision
To deliver health care within an environment that values medical skills complemented by spirituality, often expressed in the language of faith.

The Institute for Spirituality in Health focuses on the effective, compassionate care of a patient’s whole person – body, mind and spirit. Lead by physicians, civil, religious and business leaders of various faith traditions, the Institute for Spirituality in Health is an advocate for addressing spiritual care in medicine and health care. The Institute enables spiritual growth and discovery for patients and families, as well as health and pastoral care providers in the community.

The Institute for Spirituality in Health provides community and professional education, publications and research on the topic of spirituality in the health care setting. In addition, the Institute leads interfaith prayer teams, which provide encouragement and support for Shawnee Mission Medical Center associates and physicians, as well as local, state and national civic and religious leaders. Annual events such as the Community Prayer Breakfast, Physician/Clergy Conference and symposiums on various topics allow community members to explore their spirituality and determine where it fits within their health care needs.

What is spirituality?
Spirituality, often expressed in a cultural or religious tradition, provides a personal framework for the understanding of life’s purpose and meaning, the sense of well-being and the relationship with humanity and the divine. It is a determining factor in how individuals explain and react to life events.

Spirituality is an important element in patients’ and families’ ability to cope with illness, dying and death. Recent national studies indicate that more than 70 percent of patients surveyed would prefer that their physician addressed their spiritual needs and concerns.

To receive more information about the Institute for Spirituality in Health, please call or write to the following address:

Institute for Spirituality in Health
Shawnee Mission Medical Center
9100 W. 74th Street
Shawnee Mission, KS 66204
913-676-8104