Institute for Spirituality and Health
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| Formation | May 4, 1955 |
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| Founders | Dr. Frederick C. Elliot Dr. Dawson Bryan |
| Type | 501(c)(3) organization |
| 74-1246255 | |
| Headquarters | 8100 Greenbriar, Suite 300 Houston, Texas 77054 |
| Coordinates | 29°41′28″N 95°24′11″W / 29.6910°N 95.4030°W |
President & CEO | Stuart Nelson |
| Website | https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/ |
The Institute for Spirituality and Health (ISH) is an independent, interfaith, non-profit organization located at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1955 under the guidance of Dr. Frederick C. Elliott, then Executive Director of the Texas Medical Center, the Institute was originally established to foster a religious presence throughout the medical campus.[1][2]
History
[edit]The Institute was founded as the Institute of Religion in 1955 and it was originally located on the corner of Bertner and Wilkins streets on the Texas Medical Center campus. It moved in 2001 after Tropical Storm Allison destroyed the old building.[2]
The Institute's first director was pastor Dawson Bryan, who focused on educating chaplains and ministerial students about hospital care and nursing students about the role of religion in healthcare. From 1955 to 1968, the Institute served as a center for chaplain education, including providing official training for chaplains in the United States Air Force.[2]
Bryan was followed by Reverend Thompson L. Shannon in 1968. At this point, the Institute was renamed to the Institute of Religion and Human Development. It began to focus more on medical ethics, as chaplain training had become more widespread among hospitals. In March 1968, the Institute worked with Rice University to hold the first Ethics in Medicine and Technology Conference.[2] In 1982, the Institute, Rice University, and Baylor College of Medicine founded the Center for Medical Ethics, the first independent center of its kind.[2]
Over time, the Institute created more specialized centers, starting with the Children's Center in 1977.[2]
The Institute was renamed to the Institute of Religion and Health in 2003, and then the current name, the Institute of Spirituality and Health, in 2008.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Nickell, Cathey (2015). Uniting Faith, Medicine and Healthcare: A 60-Year History of The Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center (2nd ed.). Houston, TX: The Institute for Spirituality and Health. pp. 15–22. ISBN 978-0-692-42613-5.
- ^ a b c d e f g Association, Texas State Historical. "Institute for Spirituality and Health: A Legacy of Integrating Faith and Medicine". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
External links
[edit]- https://www.spiritualityandhealth.org/
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