Blessing of the hands: Hospital rite gives spiritual boost to its employees

Jody Cloward took a break from her work at St. Mark's Hospital on Wednesday to visit a medicine man, confident that he could purify her efforts to help heal the occupational therapy patients she sees each day.

Waiting in line with co-workers who also were seeking a blessing from a potpourri of spiritual leaders during the hospital's annual "Blessing of the Hands," Cloward said she wouldn't miss the chance to get a spiritual boost from each of those offering to provide it.

"I come every year," she said, watching as an Arapaho healer fanned away any negative energy from another employee on a grassy spot behind the cafeteria, while the aroma of burning sage hung in the air to purify each soul who participated.

Though she is partial to Native American blessings, Cloward planned to visit each leader for words of wisdom and blessing. "It helps us to understand other people's belief systems and not get stuck on one or another," when treating patients of all faiths, she said.

"Blessing the hands is really important to me because we're so hands-on. … I'm talking to everyone, and we get hugs from them as well."

Hoping that the spiritual sustenance they receive will help them and their patients, scores of doctors, nurses, medical technicians, cafeteria workers and housekeepers participated in the annual event.

"It's one of Utah's most ecumenical gatherings," said Wes Wilde, one of the hospital chaplains. "The idea is to take the goodness from this to the patients inside the hospital and share with them the blessings they receive as they do their daily work."

Susan Fischer, the staff chaplain who organized the blessings eight years ago for employees, said they have come to depend on the "ritual of healing" it provides for themselves and their patients.

Religious leaders included Muslim, Buddhist, Catholic, Episcopal, Latter-day Saint, Methodist, Lutheran, Native American and nondenominational clergy and chaplains.

"Our staff understands the body, mind and spirit connection, and how our faith affects our wellness," Fischer said. "They are grateful for the holistic — and the wholistic. In the mystery of science, there is often something else going on," that is unseen but has a real impact on patients.

"Everyone that comes is called to be here and to bring their gifts, their love and their compassion. In gratitude for who they are and what they bring, we wanted to offer them a blessing," she said.

As a chaplain, Fischer was offering blessings to any who asked, including Betty Card, a nurse and a medicine woman who has blessed others in past years but was there seeking a blessing this time.