Susie Petersen
House of Friends Director
Office: 512-258-6017 x254
Susie Petersen joined the Bethany staff in 2006 as the founding Director of House of Friends. She oversees all aspects of this self-sustaining dementia respite care outreach ministry that serves families, volunteers and our community. She is currently on the Mental Wellness team and the Missions team. A Bethany member since 1986, Susie has served in children and women ministries, the missions team, care teams and hospitality.
Susie has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan. As a dental hygienist, she worked in a clinical setting and taught at the college level. She taught children ages 4 -18 as a substitute teacher for 15 years. As a caregiver and advocate for her aging parents and her mentally ill sibling over a 25 year period, she has hands-on experience and expertise in dementia care, caregiving, mental illness, nursing care and senior health and wellness. She is a passionate healthcare advocate for fragile and vulnerable adults and youth.
Bethany truly has been a ‘place of new beginnings’ for her, a place where she experiences God’s love, has grown in her faith and is blessed to touch others with tender care.