Glendale Heights nurse honored by Northwestern Medicine for extraordinary contributions to the community
Northwestern Medicine awarded Jennie P. Bagaconza, a nurse clinician in the Bariatric Center at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award.
The 40th annual award ceremony honored employees and physicians from across the Northwestern Medicine health system who best exemplify the ideals of Dr. King, as demonstrated by a positive impact in the community.
The registered nurse was recognized for providing humanitarian aid in developing areas including the Philippines, Bolivia, Guatemala, Indiana and Africa. Every year, Bagaconza saves her paid time off and money for another volunteer medical mission. The Glendale Heights resident volunteers with the Poor Household of God organization.
"Being born in a Third World country, I was born and raised in the Philippines, you see poor people, hungry people. I volunteered after graduating from nursing school in a local clinic before I came to the United States and it all evolved from there," said Bagaconza, who also collects clothing and other goods to donate to orphanages in the Philippines. "In 2011, I started my first mission trip to the Philippines. I did it for three years in the Philippines, then I extended. If I'm going to help, I'm not only going to help people in the Philippines, I want to help other people too. Every year, I'm thinking: Where do I go next?"
Five members of the Northwestern Medicine family were presented with awards for their extraordinary contributions to the community and for embodying Dr. King's legacy of humanitarianism. Since its creation in 1979, the Humanitarian Award has been awarded to 77 employees and 29 physicians.
The keynote speaker was Gloria Castillo, president and CEO of Chicago United, a corporate membership organization that advances multiracial leadership in business to achieve parity in economic opportunity. Her work on behalf of underrepresented populations was recognized in 2017 with an honorary Doctorate in Social Justice from Roosevelt University, and in 2018 with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award from Rainbow PUSH Coalition.