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= The Institute for Spirituality and Health = the Institute for Spirituality and Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the awareness of the role that spirituality plays in healing, in coping with chronic illness, and in maintaining optimal health. Founded in 1955 and formerly known as the Institute for Religion, ISH has played a vital and unique role both locally and nationally in highlighting the importance of the relationship between spirituality and health, thereby equipping doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to incorporate spirituality into the treatment of their patients.

Education
ISH hosts on average one event each month with an average attendance of 35 individuals per event. We cover a wide range of topics and occasionally these events are collaborative. In addition, we hold two major conferences each year. We have also partnered with Allegra Learning solutions to provide online coursework. The Institute provided one of the first Chaplaincy training programs in the nation. As the Houston medical center grew, Baylor College of Medicine took over the Ethics department and TMC hospitals took over chaplaincy training programs. The Institute has also developed a Spirituality and Care series of workshops and panels which educate and equip health care providers, patients and caregivers about the connection between mind, body and spirit in health and healing so they may incorporate spirituality into the treatment of their patients as they are for their loved ones.

Services
Currently, ISH sponsors a weekly bereavement group as well as a monthly support group for medical professionals. We also host several “partners,” who see patients and train professionals at our facility. Finally, we sponsor a bi-monthly networking event for healthcare professionals who are interested in spirituality and health.

Research
ISH completed the Houston Physician’s Survey in 2012. A formal presentation of the results of this study will be made in Chicago in March 2014. In addition, Ken Pargament served as Distinguished Scholar and made contributions to ISH’s research wing from 2011-2012. Most recently, we have established a consistently updated blog, which acts as a venue for our adjunct faculty to post pieces relating to current thoughts and projects.

History of the Institute
The Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center was founded in 1955, and was originally known as The Institute for Religion. From its inception, the Institute has been dedicated to the concept that humans are spiritual beings and spirituality plays a vital role in health and healing.

Many of the original founders of the institute are well known to the Houston community. With the support of families and foundations, a four-story building was constructed behind Methodist Hospital in the middle of the rapidly expanding Texas Medical Center.

Dr. Baruch Brody, Ph.D., was hired to lead a team of ethicists and the Center for Medical Ethics was created. Many academic papers on biomedical and ethical issues were published and major conferences held. In 1979, The Encyclopedia of Bioethics said the Institute for Religion was the “first major institution devoted to medical ethics in the United States.”

In 2001, Tropical Storm Allison flooded our building, causing irreparable damage. Methodist Hospital acquired the land and relocated ISH to a lovely facility. As a result of these changes, the Institute has evolved over the years and continues to play a unique role in the Texas Medical Center.

In 2011, Kenneth I. Pargament, Ph.D., was brought to ISH to serve as the Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence. Dr. Pargament is an internationally recognized and published Psychologist, who helped realize new vistas in research and academic engagement. He also expanded the vision that ISH should be recognized nationally and internationally as a center in the field of Spirituality and Health.

Psychotherapy and Health Conference
The Psychotherapy and Faith conference is an annual Nursing Conference currently in its 22nd year.