HR0763 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0763 LRB099 12127 MST 38463 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Sandra Bruce on her years of dedication to Catholic Health Care; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Bruce took on the role of CEO at Berrien County Hospital at the age of 29 and has continued in strong leadership roles ever since with more than 35 years of hospital experience; most recently, she served as President and CEO of Resurrection Health Care for 3 years; she was named President and CEO of Presence Health when the health system was formed under her leadership from the joining of Resurrection Health Care and Provena Health on November 1, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Bruce has previously served as past Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Health Association of the United States and continues to be an active committee member; she has served on committees within the American Hospital Association and several State hospital associations; currently, she serves on several councils of the Illinois Hospital Association; in 2009, she was appointed to the Commission on a High Performance Health System (The Commonwealth Fund) to help shape health reform; she also remains enthusiastic about mentoring other women as they navigate their own career paths by identifying talents and skills where they can excel; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Bruce was named one of the nation's 2011 Top 25 Women in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare magazine; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Bruce's earliest foray in advocating for social justice was in the late 1960s and early 1970s as Medicaid and Medicare were being put into place; her commitment to being a voice for the voiceless led her to shaping policies we take for granted today; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Bruce is a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives; she holds a master's degree in health administration from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University; and

WHEREAS, Sandra Bruce has been an influential healthcare leader and a strong advocate for improving access to care for all; she has indicated her strong attraction to public and religious health care organizations because they share a common goal - to ensure all patients receive a high quality of care regardless of their means; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Sandra Bruce on her years of dedication to Catholic Health Care and thank her for her service in helping those in need; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Sandra Bruce as an expression of our esteem and respect.