Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital hosted an Open House and Blessing of 10 hospital departments that have relocated to accommodate the hospital's continued growth during the construction of the Orthopedic Joint and Spine Center, which is scheduled to open in November 2015.

A longstanding tradition observed at Emory Saint Joseph's, the blessing of new hospital areas is led by the Pastoral Care chaplains and Sisters of Mercy. During the recent ceremony, staff, physicians and volunteers first attended the communal blessing led by Rev. Georgia Newman in the Main Lobby. "God's presence is palpably present at Emory Saint Joseph's, and the place where we stand is holy ground because of your blessings and what you do every day at this hospital for our patients," she said to those gathered.

Following the prayer in the Main Lobby, blessings and the sprinkling of Holy Water were conducted simultaneously by chaplains and the Sisters in areas including Health Information Management, the Daily Grounds Coffee Shop (Starbucks), Medical Staff Office, Registration, Pre-Admission Testing, Pre-Surgery, Administration, Pastoral Care, Cardiac Imaging and the Hospitality Court.