Hospital Sisters Health System

St. Elizabeth's Hospital - Belleville, IL

St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital - Effingham, IL

St. Joseph's Hospital - Chippewa Falls, WI

St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center - Green Bay, WI

News

LOWELL JONES NAMED CEO AT ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL - BREESE (July 14, 2008)

BREESE, IL – Lowell Jones, a 37-year veteran of Catholic health care, was today named President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph’s Hospital.

For the last 11 months, Jones has served as the Interim CEO of the hospital, following the retirement of former CEO Jacolyn Schlautmann. Jones has worked collaboratively with the staff at St. Joseph’s and with the surrounding community to maintain the high standards of patient service and faithfulness to the mission of the Hospital Sisters, as well as excellent stewardship that has become the hallmark of the ministry at St. Joseph’s.

“Lowell Jones has demonstrated a unique and tireless commitment to the mission of St. Joseph’s Hospital and we are very pleased and excited to be able to remove the “interim” label from his title and appoint him as the permanent President and CEO at the hospital,” said Stephanie S. McCutcheon, President and CEO of the Hospital Sisters Health System. “Over the last year, St. Joseph’s has continued to set the standard among community hospitals for compassion and quality care.”

“I am very honored and excited to be given this opportunity to continue the fine tradition of excellence at St. Joseph’s,” Jones said. “My colleagues at the hospital work very hard every day to provide the best health care available in the healing tradition of Jesus Christ. It is a true privilege to be serving here with such fine professionals and in this wonderful community.”

“Our mission at St. Joseph’s Hospital is centered on providing compassion and quality care for our patients and their families. Lowell is firmly committed to this ideal,” added Sister Marybeth Culnan, OSF, the Chair of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Board of Directors. “We serve every day to continue Jesus’ healing ministry on earth and our ministry in Breese will be a strong arm of that ministry for generations to come.”

Prior to joining HSHS, Jones most recently served as a consultant to the President and CEO at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland, Kentucky and as the Interim President and CEO of St. Mary’s Hospital in Norton, Virginia.

Jones’ experience also includes serving as the Vice President of Government Relations for the Catholic Health Initiatives system in Kentucky and as President and CEO of Marymount Medical Center and Our Lady of the Way Hospital in Kentucky, part of the Sisters of Charity Health System. Jones has served as the Board Chair of the Kentucky Hospital Association and is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University.

The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis assumed the sponsorship of St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1987 from the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross. Today, with 85 licensed beds and approximately 300 employees, St. Joseph’s continues to offer high-quality and compassionate care, as well as specialized services unique to the community.

The Hospital Sisters Health System is a Roman Catholic health care mission founded to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, HSHS is dedicated to serving all people, including the poor and the needy at each of its 13 Local Systems in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Hospital Sisters Health System provides state-of-the-art health care framed in traditional values taught by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

With more than 14,300 staff, the HSHS hospitals in Wisconsin are located in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Sheboygan, with two in Green Bay. In Illinois, the HSHS hospitals are located in Belleville, Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Litchfield, Springfield and Streator.

KEVIN L. SHRAKE NAMED CEO AT ST. ELIZABETH’S HOSPITAL (July 14, 2008)

BELLEVILLE, IL -- Kevin L. Shrake was named President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital today, a move that strengthens the presence of one of the largest Catholic health care ministries in Southwestern Illinois.

For the last five months, Shrake has served as the Interim CEO of the 132-year-old hospital. His leadership during 2008 has done much to re-focus the mission of St. Elizabeth’s toward future growth, confidence and a stronger role in the community.

“Kevin has done a fantastic job at St. Elizabeth’s and this appointment is tangible proof of his strong commitment to furthering the ministry of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis and reinvigorating our commitment to the highest quality service for our patients and their families,” said Stephanie S. McCutcheon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital Sisters Health System, which sponsors St. Elizabeth’s.

“I am truly humbled that the Hospital Sisters and the leadership of our System are placing their confidence in me at this point in the long history of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital,” Shrake said. “Observing the daily commitment of our staff at St. Elizabeth's to our core values of Respect, Care, Competence and Joy has been exciting and energizing. I am honored for the opportunity to provide permanent leadership to this excellent organization which has served our community for over 133 years”

“We are very pleased to have Kevin as President and CEO of St. Elizabeth’s,” said Dennis Bielke, Chair of the St. Elizabeth’s Board of Directors. “We are confident that his vision of patient-centered, physician-led health care will serve the community extremely well.”

Prior to joining St. Elizabeth’s, Shrake served as the first Administrator of Heart Services at St. Louis University Hospital. Beginning in 2006, Shrake was responsible for creating, developing and managing heart services at the 360-bed hospital.

Shrake also served as the Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Texas-based American Association for Respiratory Care. For three years he led daily operations of this national professional organization and helped increased membership from 29,000 to 40,000.

Previously, Shrake served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the largest hospital in Oklahoma, Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, and as an Administrator at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. Prior to his experience in the St. Louis area, Shrake spent more than 20 years serving in various administrative capacities at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois, including eight years as the Administrator of the Heart Center at Memorial.

Shrake holds a Master’s Degree in Health Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis founded St. Elizabeth’s Hospital 132 years ago in a small schoolhouse in Belleville. Today, with more than 500 licensed beds and almost 1,600 employees, St. Elizabeth’s is one of the oldest and largest healthcare providers in the Southwestern Illinois, offering specialized services unique to the community.

The Hospital Sisters Health System is a Roman Catholic health care mission founded to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, HSHS is dedicated to serving all people, including the poor and the needy at each of its 13 Local Systems in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Hospital Sisters Health System provides state-of-the-art health care framed in traditional values taught by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

With more than 14,300 staff, the HSHS hospitals in Wisconsin are located in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Sheboygan, with two in Green Bay. In Illinois, the HSHS hospitals are located in Belleville, Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Litchfield, Springfield and Streator.

HOSPITAL SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS TO ASSUME SPONSORSHIP OF SAINT ANTHONY’S HEALTH CENTER IN ALTON, ILLINOIS (June 5, 2008)

SPRINGFIELD, IL – A letter of Intent has been signed by the Hospital Sisters Health System, acting on behalf of its sponsor, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, to assume sole sponsorship of Saint Anthony’s Health System in Alton, Illinois.

When finalized in a formal agreement later this year, this new relationship with Saint Anthony’s Health System will create a stronger Catholic health care ministry in Southwestern Illinois based on the teachings of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

Under the terms of the Letter of Intent, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis will assume sole sponsorship of Saint Anthony’s Health System, which operates two campuses in Alton – Saint Anthony’s Hospital and Saint Clare’s Hospital. Saint Anthony’s is currently sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.

“Saint Anthony’s is currently one of only a handful of independent Catholic hospitals in Illinois,” said Mother M. Regina Pacis, Provincial Superior for the American Province of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. “Through many months of prayer and meetings with the Hospital Sisters Health System, our Sisters feel it is God’s will for our Franciscan missions to come together.”

“Integrating Saint Anthony’s Health System into the Hospital Sisters Health System will strengthen our ability to provide healthcare services to the people of Southwestern Illinois through an integrated network of healing ministries,” said Stephanie S. McCutcheon, President and Chief Executive Officer of HSHS. “The services we provide to all, including the poor and the needy, will benefit from this transfer of sponsorship, and both ministries will be in a better position to further their mission and values in the future.”

Currently, HSHS operates three hospitals in Southwestern Illinois – St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.

Mark Weber, President/CEO of Saint Anthony’s Health System, said that when the transfer of sponsorship is finalized, HSHS intends not only to maintain the current services offered at Saint Anthony’s Hospital and Saint Clare’s Hospital, but also will continue plans for a major expansion of the Saint Anthony’s Hospital campus. This project already has received approval from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.

The final agreement also will have HSHS assuming responsibility for the ComPAS Network, a physicians group that focuses its services in a number of specialized medical areas. The ComPAS Network was founded by Saint Anthony’s.

Under the terms of the Letter of Intent, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George will continue to live and foster their healing and teaching ministry from the Order’s Motherhouse, which is located on the Saint Anthony’s Hospital campus. The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George also will continue their involvement in Saint Anthony’s serving on the local Board of Directors and in direct care or administrative roles.

Both the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George and the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis are Franciscan religious Orders with roots in Germany. Saint Anthony’s Hospital was founded in 1925. The Hospital Sisters began their health care ministry in 1875.

The services offered at Saint Anthony’s Hospital include obstetrics, surgery, cardiology, a gastrointestinal diagnostic center, imaging and sleep studies. At Saint Clare’s Hospital, the services offered include a center for wound healing and hyperbaric medicine, diabetes treatment, occupational health, oncology, adult day care, psychological services, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, an inpatient Alzheimer’s program and extended care services for seniors.

Of the 13 current HSHS hospitals, 11 were founded by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis. The other two hospitals were founded by different Orders and the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis assumed sponsorship at the invitation of those orders. The Hospital Sisters assumed sponsorship of St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from the Misericordia Sisters in 1974. The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis assumed the sponsorship of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, Illinois from the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross in 1987.

“Our mission and our commitment to the Alton area will continue – and will thrive,” said Mother M. Regina Pacis. “We will have easier access to resources for capital projects, which will enable us to continue to provide quality health care for area residents.”

The Hospital Sisters Health System is a Roman Catholic health care mission founded to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, HSHS is dedicated to serving all people, including the poor and the needy at each of its 13 Local Systems in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Hospital Sisters Health System provides state-of-the-art health care framed in traditional values taught by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

With more than 14,300 staff, the HSHS hospitals in Wisconsin are located in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Sheboygan, with two in Green Bay. In Illinois, the HSHS hospitals are located in Belleville, Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Litchfield, Springfield and Streator.

ROBERT RITZ NAMED PRESIDENT / CEO AT ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL (February 18, 2008)

Bob Ritz

Robert P. Ritz, a Catholic healthcare executive with a quarter-century of experience in leading hospitals to new levels of quality and patient service, was named today President and Chief Executive Officer of St. John’s Hospital, the largest ministry within the Hospital Sisters Health System.

Ritz, 46, will assume his new role in April. He replaces Richard J. Carlson, who retired this month after 17 years in top management positions at St. John’s. In the meantime, Anna Lee Fenger, Associate Administrator at St. John’s, will serve as interim President and CEO, effective immediately.

“Bob understands our mission, is a proven leader and is the right person at the right time to further the St. John’s tradition of quality patient care, compassion and community service,” said Stephanie S. McCutcheon, President and Chief Executive Officer of HSHS. “He puts the needs of patients, their families and his colleagues first while addressing the challenging environment of healthcare. We are very pleased that he has accepted our call to join the mission and ministry of the Hospital Sisters.”

Ritz currently is the President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Mary’s Health System in Waterbury, Connecticut, a 346-bed, non-profit hospital. During his six years leading St. Mary’s, Ritz led the complete renovation of the hospital’s Emergency Department and implemented new patient services, including an interventional cardiac care program, two outpatient sleep labs, a comprehensive wound center and three satellite facilities – walk-in clinics and centers dedicated to physical therapy occupational medicine.

In addition, Ritz has led efforts on a comprehensive renovation of St. Mary’s 100-year-old facility, recruited new physicians to the hospital and led an effort that successfully increased admissions and outpatient visits for three successive years.

“I am thrilled and blessed that I have been invited to join the mission and family at St. John’s,” Ritz said. “It is a great organization filled at every level with talented and dedicated professionals. I am confident that we can use our past successes as a guide and move this ministry successfully into the future. St. John’s has a unique place in the fabric of Springfield and Central Illinois. It is vital that we continue to put the interests of our patients and their families first in the delivery of quality and compassionate care.”

J. Michael Houston, chair of the St. John’s Board of Directors, noted that Ritz’s prior service in Catholic healthcare is an asset for St. John’s. “All of us who participated in the search for a new president/CEO were greatly impressed with Bob’s understanding of our ministry’s role in the community, as well as his proven ability to diligently manage the present and plan accordingly for the future,” Houston added. “Bob Ritz is a good fit for St. John’s,” said Larry P. Schumacher, Chief Operating Officer of HSHS. “He fulfills the best tradition of the servant-leadership role in Catholic healthcare. He has proven to be a strong advocate for patients, for quality healthcare services and innovation.”

Prior to joining St. Mary’s Health System in 2002, Ritz served in various capacities at Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia between 1987 and 2002; rising from Vice President to President and Chief Executive Officer. He began his professional career as an Administrative Resident at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York.

Ritz holds a Master’s degree in Health Administration from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia. Ritz and his wife Mary have three sons: Andrew, Michael and Christopher.

Fenger has been with St. John’s since March of 2007. Previously, she served in various capacities for more than 30 years with OSF Healthcare System at both OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria and OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. St. John’s Hospital, founded in 1875 by the Hospital Sisters, has 730 licensed beds and is a primary teaching hospital for the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. St. John’s mission is to provide Central Illinois with value-based health services in the Catholic tradition of compassion, care, justice and reverence for all life.

The Hospital Sisters Health System is a Roman Catholic healthcare mission founded to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, HSHS is dedicated to serving the poor, the sick and the needy at each of its 13 Local Systems in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Hospital Sisters Health System provides state-of-the-art medical care framed in traditional values taught by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

With $1.4 billion in revenue and more than 14,900 staff, the HSHS hospitals in Wisconsin are located in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Sheboygan, with two in Green Bay. In Illinois, the other HSHS hospitals are located in Belleville, Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Litchfield and Streator.

Sister Mary Ann Minor, OSF, Named HSHS Board Chair.
Sister Mary Mollison, CSA, Named Vice Chair (October, 2007)

Sister Mary Ann Minor and Sister Mary Mollison

Sister Mary Ann Minor and Sister Mary Mollison

Sister Mary Ann Minor, OSF, a past General Superior of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, has been appointed the new Chair of the Board of Directors of the Hospital Sisters Health System.

In addition, Sister Mary Mollison, CSA, has been named Vice Chair of the HSHS Board.

Hospital Sisters Health System is a Roman Catholic health ministry which sponsors 13 hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin, employs more than 14,900 staff and generates more than $1.5 billion annually in revenue.

The appointments were announced by Sister Jomary Trstensky, OSF, Provincial Superior of the Hospital Sisters’ American Province.

Sister Mary Ann, a resident of Springfield, brings exceptional leadership skills and practical experience to her new position, as well as a deep personal conviction to the Sisters’ healthcare ministry. Between 1994 and 2006, Sister Mary Ann served the entire international Congregation from the Order’s birthplace in Germany as General Superior. Sister’s responsibilities included more than 1,600 religious Sisters in Japan, Poland, Germany, India and the United States.

A native of Stonington, Illinois, Sister Mary Ann is a graduate of St. John’s School of Nursing, Loyola University and DePaul University, both in Chicago.

Sister has served as a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, Illinois; St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, Illinois; and as Director of Nursing Services at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Sister also served in various administrative roles within HSHS, including President of the Illinois hospitals. Between 1988 and 1994, Sister served as the Provincial Superior for the American Province.

Sister Mary Mollison currently serves as the Vice President of Ministry and Spirituality for Agnesian HealthCare of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Sister is the Board Chair of Catholic Health Ministries, of Michigan, and a board member of Core el Centro of Wisconsin, as well as HSHS.

A past General Superior of the Congregation of St. Agnes, based in Fond du Lac, Sister also is a past president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Sister is a graduate of Marian College and the University of Wisconsin.

Sister Mary Ann succeeds Sister Joan Winkler, OSF, who resigned the Chair in August in order to take her personal ministry in new directions. Sister Mary succeeds Sister Ann Pitsenberger, OSF, in the role of Vice Chair. Sister Ann is now concentrating her ministry on the advancement of the Hospital Sisters’ Mission Outreach.

Mission Outreach is a program that distributes donated medical supplies and recycled equipment for use in medically-underserved areas around the world. To date, Mission Outreach has distributed 400,000 pounds of supplies and equipment, worth more than $2 million, to clinics and hospitals in 25 countries.

The Hospital Sisters Health System provides state-of-the-art medical care framed in traditional values taught by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. The mission of the Hospital Sisters has been carried forward for more than 130 years in the United States. The HSHS hospitals in Wisconsin are located in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Sheboygan, with two in Green Bay. In Illinois, the hospitals are located in Belleville, Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Litchfield, Springfield and Streator.

Larry Schumacher Named Chief Operating Officer Of Hospital Sisters Health System (October 12, 2007)

Larry P. Schumacher, an inspirational leader for 25 years in Catholic health care, was today named the Chief Operating Officer of Hospital Sisters Health System. HSHS is a Roman Catholic health ministry which sponsors 13 hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin, with $1.5 billion in revenue and more than 14,900 staff.

Schumacher, 48, will join HSHS on November 26, 2007. He currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Via Christi Wichita Health Network, a four hospital system with $800 million in revenues and a staff of 5,400 based in Kansas.

“Larry Schumacher brings to our System the commitment to our mission, leadership skills and extensive medical knowledge to help us in the communities where we serve our patients,” said Stephanie S. McCutcheon, President and CEO of the Hospital Sisters Health System. “Larry will be instrumental in helping support our local system CEO’s, our new local system Boards of Directors and in achieving strong partnerships with physicians. He will also focus on our three main goals of fulfilling our mission, integrated patient diagnosis and treatment; meeting the highest standards of quality and service; and creating the best environment for physicians and others to practice medicine.”

As COO, Schumacher will also be accountable for patient services, quality metrics, physician relationships, information technology and capital construction needs.

“The Hospital Sisters Health System is guided by the Principles set forth by the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis to ensure the continuation of a 130 year legacy to care for the needy, sick and poor. I look forward joining the HSHS team where there will be opportunities to share my strong clinical background,” Schumacher said.

McCutcheon said HSHS created the position of chief operating officer to deepen local system management and to coordinate operational support as part of the evolution of the leadership model. “Larry started his career as a bedside care giver and understands how every administrative decision impacts patients and families,” McCutcheon said.

Schumacher has served as the President and CEO of the Via Christi Wichita Health Network since 2005. His activities in the Wichita community include membership on the Board of Directors of Newman University, Chair of the United Way campaign and a task force designed to create the future vision of healthcare for the region. In addition, Larry serves as president, CEO and Chairman of the Board for the Wichita Center for Graduate Medical Education (WCGME), which is a not-for-profit consortium consisting of the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Via Christi Regional Medical Center and HCA Wesley Medical Center. It is responsible for employing the 260 residents in the 13 residency programs it administers.

Between 1988 and 2005, Schumacher served in various positions for the Mercy Health Network of Iowa, and was directly involved in the development of a heart hospital and the creation of extensive physician partnerships. From 1984 to 1988, he was director of critical care/medical nursing for the Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Schumacher began his career in healthcare in 1975 as an orderly and control clerk at Lester E. Cox Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri. After graduating from nursing school, he served at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, with the Ozark Area Community Action Corporation Home Health Care Services and St. John’s Regional Health Center, both in Springfield, Missouri and at the Indiana University Hospitals/Riley Hospital for Children School of Nursing. Schumacher is a graduate of the Burge School of Nursing in Springfield, Missouri; holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Missouri State University, a Master of Science in Nursing from Indiana University and an honorary Doctor of Science from Mercy College of Health Sciences of Des Moines, Iowa. He is a doctoral candidate in nursing administration at the University of Iowa College of Nursing.

A native of Waseca, Minnesota, Schumacher and his wife Casey have four sons. Casey Schumacher also is a nurse educator and a doctoral candidate.

The Hospital Sisters Health System is a Roman Catholic healthcare mission founded to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, HSHS is dedicated to serving the poor, the sick and the needy at each of its 12 local systems in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Hospital Sisters Health System provides state-of-the-art medical care framed in traditional values taught by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

The HSHS hospitals in Wisconsin are located in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Sheboygan, with two in Green Bay. In Illinois, the hospitals are located in Belleville, Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Litchfield, Springfield and Streator.

System Office Welcomes Sister Ritamary Brown

Sister Ritamary Brown, OSF joined the HSHS system office staff on January 2, 2007. Sister Ritamary will be serving as a consultant on two major initiatives that must be addressed over the next few months. The first is the creation of a formal “Leadership Formation” program for people who currently serve in leadership positions throughout our system and those that will follow them in the future.

The second major initiative is the development of a plan for “Quality Measurement/Assessment” that will impact the way all HSHS hospitals address this very important facet of hospital activities.

In addition to having over twenty years of hospital management experience, Sister Ritamary has a Master’s degree in Institutional Management from Purdue University and an MS in Hospital Administration from Xavier University. This, plus her perspective as a member of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, will be very helpful in the achievement of these two initiatives.

Stephanie McCutcheon Accepts Position Of HSHS President/CEO

Sister Joan Winkler, Provincial Superior of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, has announced that Stephanie McCutcheon has accepted the position of President/CEO.

"I am pleased to announce that Stephanie McCutcheon has accepted our offer to be the new HSHS President and CEO. After serving for 90 days on an interim basis, she has agreed to continue to guide our healthcare ministry into the future," said Sister Joan.

"To assist us in our choice, we engaged Witt/Kieffer of Chicago to conduct a national search. They interviewed 14 candidates. Following discussions with us, they submitted eight candidates for review; of the four candidates we chose to interview, we selected Stephanie for the position," Sister Joan said.

"Stephanie has valuable experience in Catholic healthcare and brings to HSHS extensive knowledge of best practices in leadership, management, finance, and operational expertise. She is a Catholic lay woman who is committed to supporting the mission of the Church through the adoption of the newer approaches to Catholic sponsorship, governance, and management along with our focus on Mission Integration and our Franciscan heritage," Sister Joan added.

"Stephanie will continue to focus on assessing and recommending a governance/management system, implementing models of physician and hospital relationships, enhancing operating performance, and reviewing information technology. Our goal for the System under Stephanie’s leadership is to ensure that we are positioned to further the Church’s mission of caring for the poor, sick, and needy," Sister Joan explained.

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21,000 pounds of food donated

"Wow!" This was the reaction of staff from three Springfield food agencies when they were notified of donations of food.

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HSHS website launched

October 18, 2006 was an exciting day for HSHS with the launch of our website. Sister MaryAnn Falbe, Provincial Councilor, and Stephanie McCutcheon, along with HSHS and Corporate Computer Center Leadership congratulated Brian Gordon, Corporate Computer Center Senior Technical Analyst, and Dan Johnson, HSHS Communications Manager, for their work in accomplishing this project.

Celebrating at HSHS…Sister MaryAnn Falbe, Jennifer Reevis, Dan Johnson, and Stephanie McCutcheon

Celebrating at CCC…front row (left to right) Sister MaryAnn Falbe, Brian Gordon, Harvey Hinton, and Herman Seefeld

World Health and Hunger Awareness

In observance of World Health & Hunger Awareness Month, the employees at Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) and the Corporate Computer Center (CCC) are involved with several activities.

On October 6 they observed the Feast of St. Francis - the patron of the Hospital Sisters. On this day, the employees reflected upon the health and hunger needs of the world in various ways. They shared their Feast with the Mission Outreach facility staff and Sisters who then shared information about the health issues throughout the world. The Mission Outreach staff also had a display table showing some statistical information regarding world hunger.

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