HR0489 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0489 LRB103 35133 LAW 65094 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Ruth Colby of Mokena, who passed away on October 15, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Colby earned a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University, a master's degree from New York University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago, specializing in finance; she married Donald M. DeFrank; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Colby served as president and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital; during her six-year tenure, her extraordinary leadership earned Silver Cross Hospital national recognition in safety, quality, and experience, as evidenced by the hospital ranking as one of the 100 Top Hospitals 11 times, earning a 5-Star Rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and receiving 17 Straight A's for Safety from the Leapfrog Group; under her leadership, Silver Cross Hospital opened Will County's first and only Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, introduced an open-heart surgery program, and championed the opening of the Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery; she forged many partnerships with leading Chicago-academic health systems, including the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, University of Chicago Medicine for cancer services and neurosciences, the Rush University Medical Center for lung surgery, the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital for pediatric and neonatal services, and US HealthVest to build the 110-bed Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Colby was deeply engaged in community service, including serving as president of the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development, an American Hospital Association membership group, chair of the Will County Center for Economic Development, board member of the Will County Children's Advocacy Center, and the chair-elect of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association Board; she was appointed to the American Hospital Association's Regional Planning Board for Region 5 and was a member of the American Hospital Association Membership Group, the United Way of Will County Pillars Society, the Rotary Club of Joliet, and the Economic Club of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Colby received the national award for Individual Personal Achievement in 2009, the Athena Award from the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce in 2021, and the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Rainbow Council of the Boy Scouts; she was named the New Lenox Citizen of the Year by the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce in 2023, recognized as a Notable Woman in Healthcare and a Notable Woman Executive over age 50 by Crain's Chicago Business in 2019, and was honored by Crain's Chicago Business as a Notable Healthcare Executive; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Colby was a beloved wife, loving mother and aunt, and a dear sister and sister-in-law; she was known to her community as a healthcare visionary through her work both professionally and personally; and

WHEREAS, Ruth Colby is survived by her husband; her son, David (Becky Riffkin) Chodak; her sister, Judy (Steven) Dolins; her sister-in-law, Sue DeFrank; her nieces, Maddie Dolins and Gabi Kastel; and her nephew, 1st Lieutenant U.S. Navy Dr. Michael (Meredith) Beeler; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ruth Colby and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ruth Colby as an expression of our deepest sympathy.