January 14, 2005

Healing and hope after the tsunami

MGH Chaplaincy and MGH Administration held a special prayer service, "Healing after the Tsunami," Jan. 10 in the O'Keeffe Auditorium, allowing employees, staff, volunteers, patients and visitors to come together to remember those who have been affected by this brutal catastrophe.

The service included an opening prayer, a reading of Psalm 46, a prayer from the Muslim faith and a traditional African prayer. Symbols of healing and hope were integrated into the service, including the sounding of a gong for each of the 13 nations affected by the tsunami. A 14th gong was sounded for all the victims and loved ones affected by the tragedy and for all those who have offered a helping hand. At left, a harpist plays at the prayer service.

Participants in the service included Rev. Marcia Marino, Rev. Felix Ojimba and Imam Talal Eid of MGH Chaplaincy, as well as Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH; David F. Torchiana, MD, chairman and CEO of the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization; Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, senior vice president for Patient Care Services and chief nurse; and Jeff Davis, senior vice president for Human Resources.