RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Sister Sheila Lyne, RSM, a widely admired healthcare leader, has officially announced her plans to retire as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Hospital 85 Medical Center once a successor is appointed by the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her intent by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Born on Chicago's South Side, Sister Sheila Lyne joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1953; and
WHEREAS, After completing her training as a psychiatric nurse, Sister Sheila Lyne joined Mercy in 1970 and became President and Chief Executive Officer of that institution in 1976; and
WHEREAS, From 1991 to 2000, Sister Sheila Lyne was Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Health; and
WHEREAS, Under her leadership as Commissioner, 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; and
WHEREAS, In her twenty-seven years as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercy, Sister Sheila Lyne successfully led the hospital through numerous challenges to a period of stability and growth; and
WHEREAS, With the benefit of her vision, leadership and dedication, Mercy, famous as Chicago's first teaching hospital, found the means and inspiration to continue its 160-year mission of caring for Chicagoans; and
WHEREAS, Sister Sheila Lyne plans to continue her life-long ministry by promoting community health and undertaking fundraising efforts as a Senior Advisor to the Mercy Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Sister Sheila Lyne has served the poor, vulnerable and sick following the noble example begun in 1831 by Mother Catherine McAuley who ministered to the needy of Dublin, Ireland; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twelfth day of December, 2012, do hereby express our sinc...
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