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Community Corner

Childerguild Hosts Ball Nov. 23

Childerguild will host its 85th annual Ball Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park.  This year’s theme is “Flappers and Fellows the Roaring 20’s are back.” The evening’s festivities will include the presentation of the Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence for Healthcare to Dr. Paul Morimoto and the Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence for Community Service to community leader Terry D’Arcy.

 

The Childerguild Ball will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and dancing. Tickets are $200 per person and include an open bar. Black-tie is optional. Childerguild’s proceeds from this year’s event will be used to benefit women’s and children’s programs and services at the new Silver Cross Hospital. Call Cynthia Studer at (815) 838-2976 to make reservations.

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For over 100 years, Childerguild has served Silver Cross Hospital by raising funds to support and serve women and children. The annual tradition of the Childerguild Ball began in 1928 as a fundraiser for the Obstetrics and Pediatrics departments at Silver Cross Hospital, and keeps going strong thanks to the commitment of the members of Childerguild and to the many friends of the hospital who contribute to make this event a great success year after year. This year Barb Steffes is chairing the Ball. Her committee includes: Adele Adams, Carole DeBenedetti, Karen Hughes, Pam Resutko, Cynthia Studer, and Carole Ziemke.

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Sehring Medal of Excellence Honoring Dr. Paul Morimoto

The Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence, honoring the memory of George H. Sehring, M.D.—a dedicated physician who served the community for more than 40 years, recognizes the accomplishments of an outstanding individual for service to the health care profession.  Past recipients include Joseph Karcavich, M.D. , Mark Danielson, M.D., Ernesto “Ernie” Tan, Dr. Al and Kay Ray, Tom Streitz, D.D.S., Daniel Gutierrez, M.D., Richard Tarizzo, M.D., Wylie Mullen, M.D., Samuel Goldhaber, M.D., Lora McGuire, R.N., Bun Siu Co, M.D, Keyton Nixon, and Irving “Bill” Rudman, M.D.

 

This year’s recipient is an innovative ophthalmology physician Paul Morimoto, M.D.   Dr. Morimoto has diligently served the healthcare community for over 40 years. Throughout his years at Silver Cross Hospital, he has shared his expertise as a leader serving as Secretary on the Silver Cross Medical Staff. Dr. Morimoto was one of the area’s first physicians to perform state-of-the–art eye procedures such as cataract, eye implant and artificial tear duct surgeries using new microscope technology. He is also still active in the Chicago Ophthalmology Society to keep up with the current advancements.

 

Over the years, Dr. Morimoto volunteered with the Joliet Rotary, where he started the club’s Avoidable Blindness Screenings. Dr. Morimoto noticed that some of his patients were going blind but they had no symptoms of diabetes. When investigated, these patients actually had Type 2 diabetes. Since blindness was a consequence of unknown diabetes, Dr. Morimoto and his team provided an annual screening event using Joliet Rotarians as volunteers. Through these efforts many people found help.

“Dr. Morimoto’s dedication to Silver Cross Hospital and this community through his many volunteer efforts with the Rotary makes him a deserving recipient of the Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence Award,” said Paul Pawlak, President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital.  “For his countless hours of service, we are truly grateful.” 

Sangmeister Medal of Excellence Honoring Terry D’Arcy

The Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence will also be awarded at the Childerguild Ball.  This Medal of Excellence is named after the late U.S. Congressman George E. Sangmeister, the medal’s first recipient, and is awarded to a leading citizen recognized for competence, service and dedication in a field other than healthcare that contributes to the common good.  The recipient exemplifies the values of caring service that is the cornerstone of Silver Cross Hospital.  Past recipients include Russ Slinkard, Bob Rogina, James “Jim” Fagan, Val Rand, J.D. Ross, Frank Turk, Jr., Doug Hutchison, Gladys Fox, LaVerne and Dorothy Brown, Frank Margaron, Pam Heavens, Rev. Isaac Singelton Sr., and John Leach.

 

This year’s recipient is Terry D’Arcy. Terry D’Arcy is an outstanding example of a person who unselfishly has given many hours of his time to help others and improve the quality of life of Will County residents. After several years in the Trades, Terry decided to pursue an opportunity selling cars. After gaining further experience, in 1985 he went to work for Horizon Chevy in Naperville where he spent the next six years learning how to become a car dealer. In the 1990’s, he began buying several Joliet car dealerships including Oldsmobile, Volkswagon, GMC, Buick and Hyundai. Today, he is President and owner of D’Arcy Motors overseeing one of the region’s largest automobile dealerships.

When Terry started in the dealerships, he had 26 employees. Today, his business has flourished to include over 180 employees.

 

Throughout Terry’s life, he has been known as a dedicated community activist. He was one of the Founding members of the First Community Bank of Joliet and served as the Chair for the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. For over 25 years, he has volunteered hundreds of hours of his time to numerous area organizations including the Forest Park Community Center, Fraternal Order of Police, Hispanic Baseball League, Joliet Area Historical Museum, Joliet Franciscan Learning Center, Joliet Park District Foundation, Right Moves for Youth, United Way, University of St. Francis, Catholic Charities of Joliet and the Chicago Automobile Board.  He is also a founding member of the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission of Will County. During his involvement, Terry has positively impacted these organizations by helping them reach their goals to serve the needs of area residents.

 

“Terry D’Arcy provides a wonderful example of service to the community in which he resides,” comments Pawlak.  “Through his leadership and insight, he has contributed in countless ways to improve the communities in Will County and the lives of its residents.

 

About Childerguild

Founded in 1910, by 13 benevolent women who had no children of their own, Childerguild was formed to benefit the obstetrics and pediatrics departments at Silver Cross Hospital.  In the early years, Childerguild raised funds through private donations and by hosting card parties.  The members took a hands-on approach to this organization by sewing layettes and clown dolls for the pediatric patients at Silver Cross.  During the war years, members knitted sweaters for the military and gave financial support to the American Red Cross, Navy League and the Salvation Army.  As ardent supporters of the children in our community, Childerguild also made contributions to the Herald News free milk fund and the local community chest.  Today, Childerguild raises funds by hosting their annual Ball and by operating the hospital’s gift shop.  The Childerguild Gift Shop is open Monday through Saturday and is located in the main lobby at Silver Cross Hospital.  Customers are offered many unique items in the Childerguild Gift Shop, which features exclusive gifts, jewelry, unique handbags, toys, books and darling baby clothes.  For more information, call the Silver Cross Volunteer Services Department at (815) 300-7117.

 

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With over 3,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 9 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital on February 26, 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

 

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