Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital chapel celebrates 20th anniversary

Dick Denson, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital’s first chaplain, gives the keynote address at the chapel’s recent 20th anniversary ceremony. The chaplaincy program at Phoebe began in 1996, when Denson assembled a group of ministers from the community to provide consultation and support for the new department and its ministry to the hospital and community. More than $300,000 was raised to remodel the existing space, furnish the chapel and develop programs before it was dedicated on March 10, 1998. It since has provided comfort for patients, families and staff members. The focus of the hospital’s Spiritual Care Department is to provide ministry to patients, family members and employees with the help of volunteer chaplains. Phoebe’s interfaith chapel is available 24 hours a day for prayer and meditation. Outside the chapel, there is a prayer board for prayer requests that are read aloud during Sunday worship service. (Photo Courtesy of Phoebe)Jennifer Parks