October 28, 2005

A space for prayer at MGH Chelsea

Just in time to recognize Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center has added a welcoming touch to one of its patient waiting rooms — a curtained area for prayer.

Of MGH Chelsea's nearly 30,000 patients, approximately 3,000 are practicing
Muslims. As part of the MGH and Partners HealthCare Community Benefit
Program, the health center offers special programs to help immigrant and refugee families transition successfully to the community.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast throughout the day and traditionally pray five times each day. “Sometimes the call to prayer occurs while patients are in our waiting area,” says Tom Sterne, MD, medical director for MGH Chelsea. “We felt that it was respectful to give patients a private space to pray.”

MGH Chelsea patients pray in the health center's special prayer area that
is cordoned off by a new, brightly colored curtain.