SALUTE TO SISTER SHEILA LYNE. RSM
WHEREAS, Sister Sheila Lyne, a Roman Catholic nun of the religious order of the Sisters of Mercy and widely admired healthcare leader, has officially announced her plans to retire for a second time as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Hospital & Medical Center upon the appointment of a successor by the hospital's Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Sister Sheila was born on this city's South Side and, in 1953, joined the Sisters of Mercy, an international community of Roman Catholic women vowed to serve people who suffer from poverty, sickness and lack of education; and
WHEREAS, Upon completing her training as a psychiatric nurse, Sister Sheila joined Mercy Hospital, a Catholic hospital and the city's oldest, eventually becoming President and Chief Executive Officer ofthe hospital in 1976. At the time, Mercy hospital was in critical financial condition as there were too many poor patients who did not have insurance.
WHEREAS, Sister Sheila Lyne's determination kept the hospital open. For twenty seven years, it was her acumen and leadership that guided the institution through numerous serious hardships to a period of stability and growth; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, Sister Sheila was asked by Mayor Richard M Daley to serve as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Health. Under her leadership, Chicago's infant mortality rate declined by 7 percent, the childhood immunization rate improved from 53 percent to 73 percent and funding for HIV awareness, prevention and treatment programs rose from $4 million to $40 million. She served as Commissioner through the year 2000; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, Sister Sheila Lyne was called upon to return to Mercy Hospital & Medical Center as President and Chief Executive Officer, as the hospital was once again facing large deficits and, once again, she managed to return the hospital to financial stability and growth; and
WHEREAS, Sister Sheila Lyne has served the poor, vulnerable and sick following the noble example begun in 1831 by her order's founder, Mother Catherin McAuley, who ministered to the needy of Dublin, Ireland; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert W. Fioretti, Alderman of the 2nd Ward, has apprised this august body of Sister Sheila Lyne's noteworthy and prolific achievements throughout her noteworthy career in healthcare; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members ofthe City of Chicago City Council, assembled here this 5lh Day of June, 2013 AD, do hereby salute Sister Sheila Lyne and her remarkable lifelong work serving the needy and fully recognize the void she is leaving behind will be most difficult to fill.
BE IT FUR THER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to
Sister Sheila Lyne. .
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