Clergy is defined as an ordained clergy, such as a rabbi, priest, pastor, Islamic cleric, associate pastor, licensed minister, or lay minister serving under the direction of a congregation such as Roman Catholic Eucharistic ministers.
Guidelines for Visiting Clergy
- Refrain from visiting a hospital if you have symptoms of a cold, flu, or other illness.
- Obtain a visitor’s badge at an information desk upon entry.
- Visit only members of your congregation.
- Identify yourself with a health unit coordinator at the main desk at the entrance of a unit before visiting patients. You will need to ask about any visiting guidelines, specific unit restrictions, or potential needs of the person you are visiting.
- Speak with a nurse if the person you are seeing has any health precautions listed on their door.
- Wash hands before and after visiting patients.
- Respect the request of a patient if they do not ask for a visit.
- Leave religious literature only with the patient you are visiting.
- Do not re-disclose any patient health information from the person you are visiting.
- Use the Clergy Parking Pass only for official clergy visits.
Visiting Patients at Duke Hospitals
When entering Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, or Duke Raleigh Hospital, you will be asked to identify yourself as a visiting clergy to staff at an information desk, located in the main lobby of each hospital. Staff will provide you with a single-use visitor identification badge.
Previously used or expired badges are not valid. Using an expired identification badge creates a safety and security risk to our patients and staff. Laminated clergy identification badges are discontinued and should be returned to Chaplain Services staff.
Request a Clergy Parking Pass for Duke University Hospital
Clergy visiting Duke University Hospital can park for free in any Duke parking garage with a Clergy Parking Pass. Use Duke campus map to see all parking options. The closest garages to the hospital are Parking Garage I on Trent Drive and Parking Garage II on Fulton Street.
- To receive a Clergy Parking Pass, you must register by completing this form.
- For the best experience viewing and completing the form, use Adobe Acrobat.
- Once completed, email us the form along with supporting documentation.
- After review, our staff will contact you. We prefer to mail you the Clergy Parking Pass. If necessary, you can schedule a time to pick it up at our office.
When parking in a garage, take a ticket on your way in. Your Clergy Parking Pass will include a QR code you can scan at a ticket kiosk before returning to your car or at the exit on your way out. The QR code covers the cost of parking.
If you have questions about the process or visiting the hospital, contact a member of our staff. If you have previously applied for a Clergy Parking Pass, notify our staff if you need any changes to information on the original application.