Neighbors in the News: Palatine CEO recognized as a top diversity leader
• Palatine resident Wylecia Wiggs Harris, CEO of the American Health Information Management Association, was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of 2021's Top 25 Diversity Leaders, and is one of 10 people named 2021 Diversity Leaders to Watch by the publication.
The inaugural Top Diversity Leaders awards, formerly known as the Top 25 Minority Leaders, honor the top health care executives from diverse backgrounds and the organizations influencing policy and care delivery models across the country.
"I'm honored to be recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of their Top 25 Diversity Leaders," Harris said. "I'm grateful Modern Healthcare is highlighting the importance of diversity in leadership. As a country and industry, we have come a long way, but more work remains as we strive for more diverse companies, organizations, and boardrooms."
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Jennifer "Sis" Killen, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways superintendent, was awarded the March of Dimes 2021 Leadership in the Public Sector Award during the recent annual Construction and Transportation Awards luncheon. Industry companies, organizations and individuals were honored during the ceremony.
"March of Dimes is an organization that is dear to my heart. My mom was an active member for many years growing up," said Killen. "I'm honored to be chosen for the leadership in the public sector award. The county's accomplishments and improvements made toward transportation-related projects year after year is an effort I am incredibly proud to play a role in."
Killen was appointed superintendent of DoTH in April of this year. She is the first female superintendent in the department's 108-year history.
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Allison Rackow was named community relations director for Emerald Place, an Anthem Memory Care community in Glenview. In this position, she will be responsible for community outreach and marketing.
Rackow, who has nine years of senior living experience, previously served as executive director at Grace Point Place in Oak Lawn. She was also executive director at Sunrise Senior Living of Palos Park.
Rackow holds a master's degree in social work from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and a bachelor's degree in social work from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
• On Aug. 28, Greg Swiderski of Rolling Meadows was inducted to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Media wing, for writing and reporting on high school basketball.
Seiderski, who wrote his first basketball story in 1972, has covered high school basketball for 49 years. He has been a Daily Herald correspondent for the last 13 years. Prior to that, he worked in the same capacity for the Chicago Sun-Times for about 25 years.
He has also written articles for the Austinite, Des Plaines Publishing and Quincy Herald Whig.
Throughout his career, Seiderski has written more than 4,000 articles, which include features on basketball teams and players. He attended St. Juliana Grade School and St. Patrick High School, both in Chicago.
His writing has always been a side job from his career at ThermoFisher Scientific.
• Submit your 'Neighbors in the News' items to ntwohey@dailyherald.com.