Hazel Crest, Ill. – Rev. Larry Jackson, Vice President of Mission & Spiritual Care at Advocate South Suburban and Advocate Trinity Hospitals, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Spirit of Excellence Award in Health Care by the Southland Ministerial Health Network.
Rev. Jackson has a long history with Advocate Health Care, beginning in nutrition and support services before receiving his Masters of Divinity and moving into Mission & Spiritual Care leadership. Rev. Jackson served as the Director of Mission & Spiritual Care at Advocate Bethany Hospital in Chicago from 2003 to 2006 and currently serves as Vice President of Mission and Spiritual Care over Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, Ill. and Advocate https://www.advocatehealth.com/trinity Hospital in Chicago.
“I am humbled to receive this recognition. This work is about serving people and helping our communities become healthy communities,” said Rev. Jackson. “For me, this service award symbolizes who I am, as a person. I try to utilize all the resources available to me to make an impact. One of Advocate’s values is excellence, so we strive to collaborate and strengthen partnerships that advance the overall community.”
The Southland Ministerial Health Network is led by Dr. Carl L. White Jr. and works to address the health disparities in Chicago’s southland, to ensure the health and vitality of members of their communities and congregations. They hold monthly meetings where they provide information, inspiration and resources on health care to citizens of the southland and surrounding communities. One of their goals is to encourage faith groups to live up to their potential as agents to prevent unnecessary suffering.
“We’ve been partnering with the Southland Ministerial Network to heighten awareness of community health for a number of years, addressing issues from mental illness to diabetes and childhood asthma,” said Rev. Jackson. “They were one of the first groups I knew of that came together and said ‘we need to tell people about blood pressure, to educate them’ and to reach out to hospitals directly for assistance. They recognize that the faith community is part of the health and healing ministry and have been strong partners in this work.”
The awards are given on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day because Dr. King was a leader in service and in his community. In addition to the recognition for health care, the Southland Ministerial Health Network gave awards in the categories Business, Education, Social Action and Drum Major for Justice and recognized one member with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Rev. Jackson has served the Advocate Health Care community for many years and we are grateful for his leadership and vision,” said Richard Heim, president of Advocate South Suburban Hospital. “He works tirelessly to build and strengthen relationships with local community organizations and congregations, which allows us to target our efforts and ensure we are meeting the community’s needs and promoting health and wellness for all.”
###
About Advocate South Suburban Hospital
Advocate South Suburban Hospital is an acute-care facility in south suburban Hazel Crest, Ill., providing a wide range of comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic and ambulatory medical services. In addition to offering an array of hospital services, this not-for-profit facility provides free screenings and a variety of other outreach services throughout the community. Learn more at www.advocatehealth.com/https://www.advocatehealth.com/ssub
Media Contacts
Nate Llewellyn
Director, Public Affairs and Marketing
Advocate South Suburban Hospital
nate.llewellyn@advocatehealth.com
708.213.3137 phone
708.213.0129 fax
Amanda Jo Greep
Coordinator, Public Affairs and Marketing
Advocate South Suburban Hospital
amanda.greep@advocatehealth.com
708.213.3606 phone
708.213.0129 fax