Healing Hospital

Healing is the “process of bringing parts of one’s self together at deep levels of inner knowing, leading to an integration and balance, with each part having equal importance and value” (Hood, 2010, p.105).   Healing not only includes treatment of the physical aspect of illness or disease, it also encompasses treatment of the devastating effects illness can have on the mind and soul and leads to inner peace and wholeness.   It is fostered when healthcare workers are sensitive to patient needs, and display genuine feelings of concern and empathy for a patient’s well being.   “Healing does not come from the healer, but rather it is a mysterious phenomenon involving a higher power and energy within the environment” (Hood, 2010, 106).   Healing hospitals around the world strive to create an environment that is conducive to such healing.     In order to do so, healing hospitals must provide loving care in a healing physical environment that integrates work design and technology (Eberst, 2008, p.78).
The books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell how Jesus gave twelve disciples power against unclean spirits and commanded them to heal all manners of sickness and disease.   Like the twelve disciples, many healthcare providers feel that they have been chosen by Christ to heal others and provide care embraced with compassion to those in need.   Luke 10:30 supports the concept of healing hospitals:  
33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
This is a story of how a man provided care to a wounded stranger who had been passed up by others and left to die.   Feeling sympathetic and desiring to help, this Good Samaritan bandaged
the wounded stranger and carried him to an inn to further care for him.   The parable is an example of a basic Christian concept that healing...