LEWISTOWN–Sueellen Lewis, of Mifflinburg, said she became a chaplain because “meeting people and helping them through challenging times is truly a fulfilling experience.”

Lewis was recently appointed the first chaplain at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital in the facility’s 110-year history.

“I hope to be a positive addition to this community,” said Lewis, “and help make a difference in peoples’ lives.”

Lewis, a Middleburg High School graduate and former math teacher at Middleburg and Mifflinburg high schools, served as an associate pastor for the Selinsgrove Church of the Nazarene for 10 years, after completing her bachelor’s degree at Bloomsburg University, master’s degree at Bucknell University, and ordination courses at Nazarene Bible College. During her ninth year in Selinsgrove, she decided to take clinical pastor education classes at the Geisinger School of Spiritual Care in Danville.

“I immediately fell in love with the hands-on, one-on-one work,” said Lewis. “It made me feel I was being used by God in a good way.”

Before coming to Lewistown, Lewis worked in Geisinger’s Spiritual Care department in the central and northeast regions.

“There are so many rewarding aspects” to being a chaplain, said Lewis, but the most rewarding part is “reminding people that God–or whatever they consider as their higher power –cares about them.”

The most difficult aspect of her job is striving to trust that God “is still working in (a patient’s) situation” even after her involvement with that patient. “I might only have an hour with a person,” said Lewis, whose duties include visiting with patients and their families, as well as “being a calm presence” during end-of-life situations, crisis intervention and family meetings.

Additionally, Lewis offers grief support, coordinates the volunteer chaplains, and is available to provide ecumenical communion when requested.

“There are so many things I do from day to day,” said Lewis. “I like the unpredictability.” Lewis said she especially likes meeting people from all different faiths and connecting with them, even when their needs are not spiritual ones. When off-duty, Lewis enjoys spending time with her husband and two adult children.

Chaplain services are available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To reach the chaplain office, call (717) 242-2505.