Presence St. Joseph honors Geneva resident with H.O.P.E. Award
Carol Thara, of Geneva, is headed to Chicago to be honored at the Presence Health H.O.P.E. Awards. Thara, a case manager at Presence St. Joseph Hospital - Elgin, was selected from a pool of 16 nominees to represent the hospital at the System Awards on Nov. 6.
Presence Health launched the H.O.P.E. awards, an employee recognition program, to celebrate the health system's values in action: Honesty, Oneness, People and Excellence. The awards recognize employees who exemplify Presence Health Values through their daily work with patients, residents and colleagues, and also serve as respected role models in their communities.
In his nominating letter, Chaplain Ed Hunter wrote, "Carol advocates for our most vulnerable patients, serving with respect. She uses creativity and openness to the challenges in very difficult situations. Although quiet in her demeanor, she has a kind and loving heart that embraces everyone without distinction."
Jacqueline Dostal, regional lead of care management for Presence Health Fox River Valley, says Thara has helped to build Presence St. Joseph Hospital - Elgin into a better organization by setting a standard for excellence that her peers and managers can see and learn from. She calls Thara a 'true servant leader'."
"Not only does Carol role-model all of the H.O.P.E. characteristics, she also creates an environment for our patients that truly enriches their lives and demonstrates caring. She walks them through some of the most difficult decisions of their lives with honesty and respect," Dostal said.
"All of the nominees are incredibly dedicated professionals who truly personify the Presence Health Values," said Michael L. Brown, regional president and CEO, Presence Health Fox River Valley. "I am so pleased to celebrate these extraordinary individuals who make Presence St. Joseph Hospital - Elgin stand out as a leader in the communities we are privileged to serve."
Thara, who has worked at Presence St. Joseph Hospital since 1990, received $500 cash recognition and will be honored with a plaque at the System celebration. She will join recipients selected from each of Presence Health's 11 hospitals, Presence Medical Group, Presence Health Partners, System Services, Resurrection University, and three individuals selected from Presence Life Connections.
Presence St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin is known for providing leading-edge technologies and holistic care with compassion for the individual. We offer a comprehensive range of high quality preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic services including acute inpatient care, outpatient care, home health, and educational outreach programs. Recognized for advanced heart, orthopedics, stroke, cancer and rehabilitation services; Presence St. Joseph is a part of Presence Health.
Presence Health is the largest Catholic health system based in Illinois. With more than 150 sites of care, including 11 hospitals, Presence Health has more than 20,000 employees, 4,000 medical professionals and a revenue base of $2.5 billion.