"We always get a great response," Card said of the event. "Last year we were out here for at least four or five hours. It gets bigger all the time."

Those who were not able to take a break from their work to participate were offered the chance to have their hands washed and blessed as chaplains pushed a cart with a basin of water through each section of the hospital.

"We find that in offering them a blessing of the water and then of the hands, many of them will hold their hands out together," Fischer said, symbolizing the many varieties of people and professions who impact the health of patients in physical, emotional and spiritual ways.

Chaplains also take photos of employees' hands as they are blessed and put them together on a poster, providing a stark visual reminder of the importance and variety of their work.

Ruth Lee, a nurse who was participating in the blessing rituals for the first time, said she feels a spiritual connection to her patients "and I want to take advantage of all the blessings the Lord will give me so I can better care for them."

She was impressed with the sincerity and variety of religious leaders who participated. "There isn't one of them that hasn't made my eyes well up," as she watched their interaction with her colleagues.

E-mail: carrie@desnews.com