For a lifetime of contributions to the ministry
Catholic health care in the United States has been blessed with faithful leaders whose dedication throughout their careers has built the ministry and ultimately brought care and healing to persons and communities.
CHA's Lifetime Achievement Award annually recognizes someone who has inspired and mentored numerous others in Catholic health care and whose accomplishments, over the course of a career, have strengthened the ministry. Her or his leadership extends past the Catholic health ministry to influence and impact the local community and beyond.
Past Recipients
2024
Ron Hamel, Ph.D.
Past Member, SSM Health Ministries and Board of Directors
SSM Health
» Read the full story in this article
» Watch the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award Video
2023
Sr. Linda Werthman, RSM, Ph.D.
Former Member of Trinity Health Board
Trinity Health
Livonia, Mich.
2022
Sr. Maureen McGuire
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Integration Officer
Ascension
St. Louis
2021
Sr. Doris Gottemoeller, RSM
Chair, Bon Secours Mercy Ministries, and
Board Member, Bon Secours Mercy Health
Cincinnati
2020
Johnny Cox, RN, Ph.D.
Former Sponsor, Providence St. Joseph Health
Renton, Washington, and
Chief Ethics Advisor
Alliance of Catholic Health Care
Sacramento, Calif.
2019
Fr. Francis G. Morrisey, OMI, Ph.D., JCD
Professor Emeritus of Canon Law
Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada
» Read the full story in this article
» Watch the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award Video
2018
Sr. Phyllis Hughes, RSM, DrPH
Board Member, Providence St. Joseph Health, Renton, Wash.
Former Board Chair, Catholic Health Initiatives, Englewood, Colo.
» Watch the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Video
Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, FSM
Past President/CEO & Board Chair, SSM Health
SSM Health St. Louis
2017
John J. Finan, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, Baton Rouge, La President and Chief Executive Officer, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, Baton Rouge, La.
» Watch the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award Video
Sr. Mary Dorothea Sondgeroth, OP
Assistant Executive Director, St. Dominic Health Services Foundation, Jackson, Miss.
» Watch the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award Video
Sr. Jomary Trstensky, OSF
Chairperson, Hospital Sisters Ministries
Springfield, Ill.
2016
Sr. Barbara Moore, CSJ
Ascension Sponsor
St. Louis
2015
Sr. Mary Mollison, CSA
Vice President, Spirituality and Care Transitions
Agnesian HealthCare
Fond du Lac, Wis.
2014
Sr. Mary Roch Rocklage, RSM
Health Ministry Liaison
Mercy
Chesterfield, Mo.
» Watch the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award Video
2013
Sr. Maura Brannick, CSC
Founder, Sister Maura Brannick Health Center
Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center
Mishawaka, Ind.
Rev. Msgr. Edmund J. Klimek
Senior Priest Chaplain
Sacred Heart Hospital
Eau Claire, Wis.
2012
Msgr. Charles J. Fahey
Marie Ward Doty Professor of Aging Studies
Fordham University
Bronx, N.Y.
Sr. Kathleen Popko, SP
President
Sisters of Providence
Holyoke, Mass.
2011
Sr. Generose Gervais, OSF
Administrator/Executive Director Emeritus
Saint Marys Hospital – Mayo Clinic
President, Poverello Foundation
Rochester, Minn.
Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett, CSA
Special Assistant to the President/CEO
Sisters of Charity Health System
Cleveland
2010
Sr. Mary Frances Loftin, DC
Chairperson of the Board
Saint Thomas Health Services
Nashville, Tenn.
Board Member
St. Vincent's Health System
Birmingham, Ala.
Sr. Rita Thomas, CBS
Board Member
Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System
Suffolk, Va.
2009
Sr. Yvonne Gellise, RSM
Senior Advisor for Governance
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System
Ann Arbor, Mich.
2008
Sr. Monica Heeran, CSJP
Board Chair, Volunteers in Medicine Clinic
Board Member
PeaceHealth
Eugene, Ore.
2007
Sr. Mary Trinita Eddington, OP
Vice President, Community Health Services
St. Dominic Health Services
Jackson, Miss.
2006
John (Jack) W. Glaser, STD
Senior Vice President, Theology and Ethics, and
Director of the Center for Healthcare Reform
St. Joseph Health System
Orange, Calif.
2005
Daniel F. Russell
President Emeritus
Catholic Health East
2004
Sr. Mary Eileen Wilhelm, RSM
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mercy Medical
Daphne, Ala.
A "Generation of Ethicists" (six individuals):
Fr. Benedict M. Ashley, OP
Adjunct Professor
Center for Health Care Ethics
Saint Louis University and
Professor Emeritus of Moral Theology
Aquinas Institute of Theology
St. Louis
John Collins Harvey, MD, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Medicine
Center for Clinical Bioethics
Georgetown University Medical Center
Washington, D.C.
Fr. Richard A. McCormick
Former John A. O'Brien Professor of Christian Ethics
Notre Dame University (posthumously)
Fr. Albert S. Moraczewski, OP, Ph.D., STM
President Emeritus
National Catholic Bioethics Center
Boston
Fr. Kevin D. O'Rourke, OP, JCD, STM
Professor of Bioethics
Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy
Stritch School of Medicine
Loyola University Chicago
Edmund D. Pellegrino, MD
Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Medical Ethics and
Senior Research Scholar
Kennedy Institute of Ethics and
Adjunct Professor of Philosophy
Georgetown University
Washington, D.C.
2003
Sr. Bernice Coreil, DC
Executive Advisor to the President
Ascension Health
St. Louis
2002
Sr. Mary Caritas Geary, SP
Advocacy Coordinator
Sisters of Providence
Holyoke, Mass.
2001
Brother Philip Kennedy, CFA
Elk Grove Village, Ill.
2000
Sr. Mary Maurita Sengelaub, RSM
Sister Trustee
Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of Detroit
1999
Sr. Mary Rose McPhee, DC
Executive Director
Seton Cove
Austin, Texas