Community Health Council is Honored at Jefferson Regional's 30th Annual Recognition Night
Jefferson Hills, PA - August 25, 2011
Jefferson Regional Medical Center’s 19-member Community Health Council (CHC) was honored at the 30th annual Community Recognition Night on Wednesday, Aug. 24, in the Jefferson Room, Bibro Pavilion. The Council is comprised of members of various South Hills municipalities who serve as ambassadors for Jefferson Regional Medical Center and assist with community activities and programs.
John Dempster, president and CEO, addressed the group of nearly 100 community leaders that included mayors, municipal government officials, ambulance services and law enforcement representatives.
Mr. Dempster talked about the importance of recent meetings held for Jefferson Regional employees, explaining that “we try very hard to connect to the personnel here. We want them to know we really care for this organization.” He also reflected on the hospital’s rich history and the partnership between Homestead and St. Joseph hospitals that led to the formation of Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
“Almost 40 years ago, two organizations got together – the good people of Homestead and the Sisters of St. Joseph – and decided to give up their hospitals so we could have a hospital in Jefferson Hills,” he said. “We thank those visionaries and members of our Board remember them every day.”
He said the Board is passionate about the future of Jefferson Regional Medical Center as a viable healthcare provider and its pledge to work to keep the hospital “independent, locally driven and very relevant to the community.”
Also offering remarks at the event were Charles Modispacher, chairman, Board of Directors; Martha Sloan, chairwoman, Community Recognition Night Committee; Marv Levin, president, CHC; Carolyn Atkinson, CHC member and poster contest chairwoman; and Rev. Paul Edwards, chaplain, who provided the invocation. Entertainment was provided by musicians Emily Pinkerton and Layo Puentes.
State Rep. Rick Saccone presented a certificate to the winner of CHC’s annual poster contest, Cameron McKeel, 6, of Sutersville, whose mother, Heather, is a nurse at Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
In the photo: Among those attending Jefferson Regional Medical Center’s 30th annual Community Recognition Night were, from left, Edward Cunningham, Pleasant Hills police chief; Don Similo and JoAnne Beckowitz, Elizabeth Township commissioners; John Dempster, Jefferson Regional Medical Center President and CEO; Michael Evanovich, Glassport mayor, and his wife, Kathie.