The Institute at a Glance

Mission

The Institute’s mission is to enhance well-being by exploring the relationship between spirituality and health. We advance this mission by engaging in education, research, and direct service programs, guided by the recognition that humans are spiritual beings and that healthcare should reflect this reality. We are independent, interfaith, and not tied to a particular ideology or health system. As such, the Institute is ideally suited to explore the multifaceted relationship between spirituality and health, educating scientific and medical communities, serving those most in need networking with public health partners and Houston’s communities of faith. The Institute serves as a meeting ground for spiritual seekers and everyone to explore a sense of wholeness, connection, and well-being in life and work.

Spirituality Defined

Spirituality involves humans’ innate ability to connect - to connect with other people, with our environment and its creatures, with the transcendent mystery that many call God (that others call by a different name or choose not to name), and ultimately with the deepest parts of ourselves.

Spirituality is distinct from religion in that it transcends a particular ideology, culture, belief system, or institution. A religion is a particular system of faith, often consisting of a collection of people bound together by common beliefs, practices, and ways of life. Spirituality and religion are distinct but complementary ways of approaching life’s most profound questions.

 
 
 

History

The Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center was established in 1955 as the Institute of Religion and is a founding member of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center. For nearly 70 years, we have made a difference by cultivating hearts and humanity in healthcare. From its inception, the Institute has been dedicated to the concept that spirituality is vital in health, healing, and promoting well-being.

Throughout its history, the Institute has:

  • established the first nationally accredited hospital chaplaincy training program in the country.

  • established the first independent center for biomedical ethics in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University.

  • served as the founding administrator of the world-famous Rothko Chapel.

  • founded the Psychotherapy and Faith Conference, now spanning over 30 years.

  • founded the annual Nursing Conference, now spanning over 30 years.

  • administered the Conference on Medicine and Religion, the foremost forum for scholars, faith leaders, and healthcare professionals to present original research at the nexus of faith and health.

  • been the lead partner in the Greater Houston Healing Collaborative, a psycho-social disaster response initiative.

  • founded the Interfaith Spiritual Care Coalition, dedicated to providing chaplaincy care in settings where it would not otherwise be offered.

  • founded the Rabbi Samuel E. Karff Center for Healthcare Professionals, dedicated to educating students of health professions to understand the spiritual dynamics in patient care.