While complimenting the work of the NIH, the spiritual wellness program at The Children’s Inn encourages the emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing of residents at The Inn. Activities and projects create opportunities for:
  • Celebrating life
  • Nurturing mind, body and spirit
  • Building community among patients, siblings and families
  • Developing positive youth life skills
  • Practicing kindness

For more information on The Inn's Spiritual Wellness Program contact Bridget Kuzma, at Kuzmab@mail.nih.gov or 301-451-3717.

Adopt The Inn

The “Adopt The Inn” project is designed to promote a sense of “hope and belonging” for our families who are far away from home. Local faith groups “Adopt The Inn” for a month and offer special prayers in their worship services on behalf of our families. They also participate in an activity or project at The Inn during their respective month.

The Inn's Community Garden

In the spirit of community, The Inn’s Community Garden is a place where families and individuals can go to reflect, garden, journal, talk, relax or meditate. The Community Garden is a special place where families can work together, nurture and harvest organic vegetables and herbs and leave something behind for future families that will visit The Inn. Nutrition is a very important factor in families’ lives, especially when children are ill. The garden will allow The Inn community to produce fresh, organic vegetables that families can use in cooking their meals. Incorporated in the vegetable garden will be an international vegetable and plant section, which will allow the residents to reconnect with their cultures and remind them of home.

Reflection Space

Residents at The Children’s Inn are often overloaded with busy days of appointments, procedures and treatments. Our Reflection Space is a room designated to center one’s self, reflect, listen, connect and renew. The design of the room incorporates elements of nature such as a water-like wall and a window view of a flower garden. A reflection table, which resonates a chapel-like feel, allows residents to individualize this room during their visit. The opportunity to slip away to a quiet, relaxing and welcoming space for a few moments could perhaps become a regular practice for many of our residents.

Religious Services at the NIH

NIH Spiritual Ministry Department
If you would like to contact a chaplain in the Clinical Center, call 301-496-3407 during business hours, Monday through Friday, and through the Clinical Center page operator at all other times. Chaplains are available 24 hours-a-day.
Chapels (open 24 hours-a- day):
  1. The main chapel at the NIH Clinical Center is located on the 7th floor.
  2. A Catholic Blessed Sacrament Chapel is located to the right of the main chapel in Room 7-2521.
  3. An auxiliary chapel is available for mediation in Room 7-1480. In addition, Purification Rooms for both men and women are adjacent to the auxiliary chapel.
Scheduled Worship Services at NIH:
  1. Roman Catholic Mass – 11:15 a.m. Sunday through Friday and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday
  2. Protestant Worship – 10:00 a.m. Sunday
  3. Devotional Service – 12:30 p.m. Thursday
  4. Islamic Service – 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Additional information:
  1. Jewish patients wishing to celebrate Shabbat and other holy days may contact the Spiritual Ministry Department to coordinate arrangements.
  2. Sunday worship services are broadcast on channel 80.
  3. For services of other faith traditions, contact the on-call chaplain through the page operator at 301-496-1211.
  4. Religious literature, Bibles and other faith-specific literature are also available by contacting a chaplain.