CONYERS--Susan Sendelbach, director of pastoral care at Rockdale Hospital and a member of Christ Our Hope Parish in Lithonia, has been named 1997 Chaplain of the Year by the Georgia Society for Healthcare Chaplains (GSHC).

The annual award is given the individual who shows commitment to pastoral care through service in chaplaincy and contributions to the field of pastoral care to colleagues, patients and staff.

The selection was made by a committee of former award winners from nominations submitted by health care institutions and GSHC members. In presenting the award, Meg Jackson Clark, chaplain at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, said, "Through your presence and education offerings, you have increased utilization of Rockdale's Chaplain on Call Team from infrequent calls to daily calls and visits."

In expanding this program, Sendelbach broadened the team of chaplains to include all denominations. She also developed the emergency department chaplain program at the hospital. In July, 1996, the hospital designated a chaplain specifically for the emergency department. She was also recognized for developing standards and practices for pastoral care at the hospital and providing opportunities for education and support for chaplains.

Sendelbach graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in religion and philosophy. She received a master's in theology from Catholic University and has completed clinical pastoral education units at Duke University and Scottish Rite Hospital. In 1988, she received a doctor of ministry degree from Emory University where she focused on ministry with homosexuals in crisis.

She has served in her post at Rockdale Hospital since 1991. She has been a board member of GSHC for six years and was president in 1992.

Her husband, Jim, is director of religious education at Christ Our Hope Parish.