Here for Everyone: Pastoral Care at LRH
September 28, 2026
For patients and families navigating illness, treatment, or an unexpected hospital stay, care can extend beyond physical needs. Sometimes, it means having someone there to listen, offer comfort, pray, or simply be present.
For five years, Lakeland Regional Health’s Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program has helped expand that support across LRH, preparing chaplains to care for people of all cultures, faiths, and religious backgrounds while strengthening the pastoral care services available to patients and families.
Since the CPE program began in 2021, its chaplains have been part of more than 62,000 patient encounters. Twenty-one residents and 21 interns have graduated from the program, with seven interns continuing into the residency program.
“Our CPE program brings chaplains from diverse backgrounds together to learn and grow. That experience strengthens our ability to provide compassionate, individualized care to the patients and families we serve,” says Luzviminda Zemina, manager of Clinical Pastoral Education.
Care for Everyone
Pastoral Care at LRH is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chaplains support patients and loved ones during procedures, testing, treatment, surgery, and other healthcare experiences.
That support is not limited to people who practice a particular religion. LRH chaplains are here to meet each person where they are, providing spiritual and emotional support based on the individual needs of each patient and family.
That spirit of inclusion is also reflected in the CPE program itself. Participants have represented a variety of cultural and faith backgrounds, with individuals coming from other states and countries to complete their training at LRH.
“Our chaplains are here for everyone. We meet patients and families where they are, honoring their beliefs, traditions, and individual needs while providing a compassionate presence during what can be a difficult or uncertain time,” says Brian Hurley, director of Pastoral Services & Ethics.
Growing a Program, Expanding Its Reach
LRH has provided professional chaplain services since 1968, but the establishment of its CPE program in 2021 created new opportunities to expand pastoral care.
Today, pastoral support is available at the Medical Center, Freestanding Emergency Department, TGH Cancer Institute | LRH Hollis Cancer Center, and the Harrell Family Center for Behavioral Wellness. The growth of the CPE program has also made it possible for LRH to dedicate a chaplain to supporting team members.
Pastoral care also has strong relationships with faith communities and spiritual care partners throughout the community. These connections help patients and families continue to receive spiritual support.
Celebrating Five Years
LRH will recognize the CPE program’s fifth anniversary during Spiritual Care Week, also known as Pastoral Care Week, observed October 18–24. The annual observance recognizes the work of chaplains and other spiritual care providers and the role of spiritual care in supporting the whole person.
For LRH, the milestone is both a celebration of how the program has grown and an opportunity to remind patients and families that pastoral care is here for them.
How to Access Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care for LRH patients, families, and team members is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week. To request support, call 863.681.1100 x1247 or visit Pastoral Care.
To learn more about the training program, visit Clinical Pastoral Education.