Sylvia (Reuter) Sultenfuss

Atlanta, GA

Major: Nursing • Class of 1966

Tell us about the work you do: I am the author of The Joy of Adulthood: A Crash Course in Designing the Life You Want and a professional speaker. I continue my innovative counseling work in the holistic Buckhead Center for Health in Atlanta, which I founded in 1980. My latest work with clients involves releasing suppressed and repressed emotions stuck in the cellular memories, and activating and deactivating of genetic patterning. My passion is providing transformational seminars that provide opportunities for people to discover and express their gifts, talents and soul's destiny.

A source of pride in your life: I take pride in living life to the fullest and always stretching for more juice and passion in myself and others. My commitment is to always find new paths for exploring and expressing more of my gifts and connection to Spirit.

Significant influences: Sister Mary Richard Boo, who gave me my first "C" final grade for misreading the final exam essay question. From that day forward, I always read test questions completely before writing the answers. Discussing Dostoevsky in freshman Honors English (again with Sister Mary Richard) altered my reality about the possibilities of an innovative and challenging education.

Greatest professional moment: Having those I coach achieve their wildest dreams after healing significant painful wounds and courageously stepping forward through their fears, is always moving to me. Winning awards and being recognized as a leader is wonderful, yet I am always humbled knowing that I am simply doing what I love to do.

Best St. Scholastica memories: Beginning my college years at St. Mary's dorm with the upper-class nursing students, laughter with friends, playing hot games of bridge in the lounge, dances in Somers Hall with the Air Force men, sneaking through the cloister tunnel at night and looking out over the campus when I heard that President Kennedy had been slain.

Tell us something about your life: When I was 12, I envisioned myself working internationally. As an instructor at Emory University's Nell Hodgson School of Nursing, I volunteered to teach in the new international nursing program. Five years later, I was on the board of Global Health Action, Inc. and chair of the program committee, designing programs and teaching thousands of health professionals from all over the world. I have traveled to 15 countries.

Family ties: My sister, Elaine Reuter, was a freshman at St. Scholastica who went on to become a Benedictine sister with the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, MN.

Further education: A master's in psychiatric mental heath nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland; ANA certified clinical specialist; and numerous programs in alternative health and human development.

Impact of Benedictine values: Since birth, I have been a product of a Benedictine environment. I never knew there was another way of living other than interacting with others with honor, a hospitable spirit, a joyous heart and a trust in Spirit.

Philosophy: The human journey is a spiritual journey of discovery, healing and transformation. Everything that occurs in our reality reflects our beliefs, lessons and opportunities for becoming.