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 followi...
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