11/02/2015

Father Arthur Athans Honored at Annual Spiritual Care Conference

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital honored Rev. Dr. Arthur Athans of Dover, NH, as the recipient of the 2015 Spiritual Care Award during its Spiritual Care Conference on October 27. This annual event honors local religious leaders for their commitment to pastoral care both in the hospital and out in the community.

Rev. Dr. Arthur E Athans (Athanasios Athanasiou) has ministered to patients and their loved ones at Wentworth-Douglass since 1955, offering spiritual guidance and compassion when it has been needed most. Father Athans was pastor of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dover for more than 40 years before retiring in 1995. He serves the neighboring community of Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Somersworth, NH, on a part-time basis and was chaplain at the University of New Hampshire for 25 years. Father Athans is also active in the community at large, serving on numerous committees.

“Father Athans’ service to the Annunciation parish community, and also the wider Dover community, cannot be overstated. He was the driving force behind the construction of our current church building. He has baptized and married generations of Orthodox Christians in this area. He has shared in the joys and sorrows of all the Orthodox families. He is a man who will drop anything he is doing to be at the side of someone in need at a moment’s notice. He is a true Pastor, a dear friend, and a personal role model of mine,” says Rev. Fr. Timothy Curren, current pastor of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Spiritual Care Services includes two chaplains who visit patients, family members and hospital staff of all faiths, ministering in a variety of ways. They rely on support from local clergy members to provide specific religious services to patients and their loved Wentworth-Douglass Health System President & CEO Gregory Walker with Rev. Dr. Arthur E Athans Father Arthur Athans Honored at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Annual Spiritual Care Conference ones. More than 120 people attended the Spiritual Care Conference to honor the dedication of these religious leaders.

This year’s Spiritual Care Conference also focused on the role of music in the healing environment. Acclaimed musician Randy Armstrong shared ideas and methods for using the power of music in the Healing Arts through a performance-based music presentation. The event also featured workshops led by certified music therapist Maurizio Paura and music director Sally Wool with hospice singers from the group Journey Song.