January 4, 2022
Dear Faith Leader,
As we navigate COVID-19, the health and safety of our patients, team members, and communities remains our top priority.
Advocate Aurora Health recently implemented a no-visitor policy at all of our hospitals as part of our Safe Care Promise to ensure patients receive the care and support they need while helping reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The no-visitor policy has limited exceptions. Among them:
Personal faith leaders are allowed to visit adults who do not have COVID-19. This includes pastors, priests, imams, rabbis, or lay members who represent the patient’s faith community with the purpose of providing spiritual support to the patient.
We are strongly encouraging the use of virtual visits and virtual vigils through Zoom video conferencing to help families connect safely with their loved ones during this difficult time. Call your hospital site in
Illinois and
Wisconsin and ask for the chaplain on call to arrange or learn more about virtual visits and virtual vigils.
Learn more about the no-visitor exceptions
here and share this information with members of your faith community.
Please know that, while visitation policies have changed, Advocate Aurora Health remains committed to honoring spiritual practices of those who are hospitalized. Faith leaders and family members can send cherished religious items, such as a Bible, Holy Water, Quran, etc., as well as electronic devices.
Learn more about sending critical items to inpatients.
The goal of these measures - to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to keep patients and Advocate Aurora Health team members safe – aligns with the command in all religious traditions that we love our neighbor.
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
The health of those in your faith community depends on the actions taken today and in the weeks to come. We are one family and need to care for one another during this time of challenge.
As a faith leader, you are an anchor in your community. You connect with many vulnerable communities that are facing trauma. Thank you for your leadership as we work together to stay safe.
Sincerely,
Rev. Kevin Massey, BCC
System Vice President, Mission and Spiritual Care
Advocate Aurora Health
