Br. Philip David Kennedy, CFA, died May 2 at age 83. During his more than six decades as an Alexian Brother, he held leadership positions with the Immaculate Conception Province of the Congregation of the Alexian Brothers, several Alexian Brothers hospitals, CHA and other organizations.
Born June 10, 1928, in Trenton, N.J., he joined the congregation in 1946 and took his perpetual vows seven years later. Br. Kennedy began his health care career as a nurse's aide then as an X-ray technician at several Alexian Brothers hospitals.
He then served in leadership roles in his congregation, first as delegate to and secretary of the provincial chapter. He also served as a delegate to an international planning chapter of Alexian Brothers. He then focused on spiritual renewal activities for his congregation.
Br. Kennedy earned a master's degree in hospital administration from Yale University.
He was an assistant administrator for an Alexian Brothers hospital in San Jose, Calif., before accepting the president and chief executive role at Alexian Brothers Hospital of St. Louis in 1978. (The hospital was sold in 1997.)
From 1983 to 1997, Br. Kennedy served as president and chief executive of Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village, Ill. Under his leadership, the medical center expanded, developed an open-heart surgery program and cancer center, entered into new partnerships with local health care providers and improved health care access for low-income patients.
Br. Kennedy served on the provincial council of his congregation as well as on the governing boards of CHA, the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, the Illinois Hospital and Health Systems Association and the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.
Since suffering a stroke in 1997, Br. Kennedy had lived at Alexian Brothers residences and long-term care facilities in Illinois and Tennessee.
In 2001, CHA awarded its Lifetime Achievement Award to Br. Kennedy.
According to a tribute written in Br. Kennedy's honor, he was known as a humble, compassionate man who went out of his way to assist the poor and vulnerable.
People wishing to honor Br. Kennedy's memory can donate to the Alexian Village of Tennessee Employee Scholarship Fund or to the Alexian Brothers Foundation. Information on donating is available from foundation representative Joan Scheffler at (847) 385-7302.