January 6, 2006

New director of MGH Chaplaincy appointed

Michael McElhinny, MDiv, has been selected as the new director of MGH Chaplaincy, leading the department that meets the religious and spiritual needs of patients, families, visitors and employees.

McElhinny (left) joined the MGH in 1986 and served as the coordinator of the Roman Catholic chaplaincy until 1989, when he left the MGH to become the director for the Marist Fathers of Boston. He also has worked as a chaplain at New England Deaconess Hospital, Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center and Children's Hospital, Boston. McElhinny returned to the MGH in 1998 and served as the Oncology chaplain until taking on this new position. In addition to his role at the MGH, he has served as vice provincial of the Marist Fathers of Boston and was the novice director for their Interprovincial Novitiate Program in the United States.

"Michael brings to this position his expertise, leadership and passion for the work of chaplaincy," says Ann Daniels, MSW, PhD, executive director of MGH Social Services and Chaplaincy. "We are confident in his ability to lead the Chaplaincy Department and to continue to foster excellence in spiritual care, diversity and clinical pastoral education. We look forward to working closely with him in the Social Services Department and other departments throughout the hospital to continue to integrate spiritual care into the MGH community."