Eleven outstanding health care professionals and one organization were honored at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 13th Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards luncheon held today (Friday, April 26) at the Frontenac Hilton.
Civic and community leader Ida Goodwin Woolfolk served as mistress of ceremonies.
Donald M. Suggs, president of the foundation and publisher of the St. Louis American Newspaper, said the program brings well-deserved recognition to women and men who have dedicated their lives to improving the health of others.
Retired pharmacist Art Perry earned the Lifetime Achiever in Health Care award. He spoke about the important intersection of politics and health care.
“Keeping health care institutions and learning institutions accessible is one of the best things we do,” Perry said.
Angela Brown, director of operations for the St. Louis Regional Health Commission received the Stellar Performer in Health Care honor.
Dr. Johnetta M. Craig earned the Health Care Administrator of the Year award.
Behavioral health organization Places for People, represented by its executive director, Joe Yancey, was recognized as the Health Care Advocacy Organization of the Year.
The eight 2013 Excellence in Health Care Awardees are Catrina W. Chambers, Ph.D, a former consultant for the St. Louis Regional Asthma Consortium; Dr. Marsha Fisher, obstetrician and gynecologist with Mercy Clinic Women’s Health – Ladue; Judy Wilson-Griffin, MSN, RNC – OB, C-EFM, perinatal clinical nurse specialist at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center; Kenya Haney, MSN, RN, cardiac service line manager, Barnes-Jewish, St. Peters Hospital and Progress West HealthCare Center; Charisse Jackson, former vice president of education and diversity for Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri; Marc A. McNeese, RN, disaster and special events manager, Saint Louis University Hospital; Jovita Oruwari, MD, FACS, oncologic breast surgeon, Mercy Clinic; and Candace T. Wakefield, DMD, a pediatric dentist at Children’s Dental Zone and owner of W. Dental Group.
