Our mission is to facilitate a person's ability to identify and express spiritual concerns; to maintain hope and celebrate in the midst of pain and suffering; to reflect on matters of faith, such as prayer and ritual; and to reframe the notion of healing to include the ability to find solace, comfort, connection, meaning and purpose in the face of illness and/or spiritual distress.
Our team of staff chaplains and volunteers offers compassionate care for patients, families and staff. In addition to providing for specific religious needs, we are clinically trained to offer supportive counseling and coping mechanisms to navigate the challenges one may face during times of illness and hospitalization. We serve people of all faiths.
Our services
- Daily rounding on all hospital units, as well as the Center for Cancer Care
- Collaboration with interdepartmental professionals
- Offering:
- Prayer
- Sacraments
- Sabbath ritual items
- Prayer mats
- Services:
- Roman Catholic Mass Sundays and Holy Days
- Jewish Shabbat Services; High Holy Days and Passover Seder
- Jummah Prayer
- Hindu Prayer Service
- Ramadan hospitality
Meditation room and chapel
Our interfaith Meditation Room offers a tranquil and private area for prayer, reflection and meditation. It is always open for patients, family and staff. It is located on the fifth floor of the hospital on the I Wing (Room 529).
Prayer books, prayer rugs and bibles are available and may be used in the room. There is a prayer intention book in which one may leave prayer requests. The Meditation Room also has complimentary inspirational pamphlets and ritual items.
Pastoral care staff
The Rev. Richard P. Limato, Director of Pastoral Care and Education, is an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. As a former teacher and elementary school administrator, he enjoys teaching ethics and spiritual & cultural awareness at the end of life to nurses. He finds supporting the chaplains on staff and visiting patients and their families of all spiritual expressions the most rewarding part of his work. An avid reader, Deacon Richard enjoys reading nonfiction, watching independent films, listening to music, attending theater on and off Broadway, travelling, binge watching Law and Order and spending time with his family. He welcomes all to call upon the services of the pastoral care department.
rlimato@wphospital.org
914.681.2395, option 3
Father Damian Ekete, PhD, is a Roman Catholic priest serving at White Plains Hospital as a per diem priest chaplain. He has completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education and has also earned graduate degrees in pastoral care counseling and social work. He was born in Enugu, Nigeria. He was ordained for the Diocese of Enugu 25 years ago.
dekete@wphospital.org
914.681.2395, option 2
Rabbi Michael Goldman is a Staff Chaplain who was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. He looks forward every workday to the variety of life experiences perspectives and spiritual dispositions of the people he encounters at WPH. He loves the Hospital's sense of collective mission, and the wisdom and humor of his colleagues on the Pastoral Care team. Rabbi Michael loves tending his garden and chickens, and cooking Shabbat dinner for loved ones. He loves White Plains and tries to give back to his community by serving on the city's Conservation Board, Beautification Foundation and his synagogue.
The Rev. Dr. Cyril Owambo, MA, JCD, is at the hospital on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. He is a seasoned interfaith chaplain with many years of experience, holding a doctorate in Canon Law. He was born in Mombasa, Kenya. He is currently working on his recertification as a board-certified chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains.
cowambo@wphospital.org
914.681.2395, option 5
Rev. Ray Bagnuolo was ordained in 2005 as a Presbyterian Minister of Word and Sacrament, following careers in business and education. He is grateful to serve as per-dem staff chaplain alongside White Plains Hospital's dedicated staff and leadership, offering their gifts and kindness to the care and healing of all who find their way to us. Ray is a long-time advocate for his Queer/LGBTQIA+ community - and stage manager for the Annual Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1990. Lastly, each night as he arrives home, he is greeted by Arthur, his 22-pound Maine Coon/Mix rescue! Ah, life is good!
Chaplain Anne Gentile is a certified chaplain with The Council of Churches of The City of New York. She works for the hospital on a per diem basis and is assigned to the hospital’s Mother Child unit. She is certified in Resolve Through Sharing and serves as a Perinatal Bereavement Counselor and leads the Perinatal Support Group, which takes place at the hospital on the last Wednesday of each month.
agentile@wphospital.org
914.681.2395, option 3