Edward Hospital chief to speak at NCC graduation

Edward Hospital President and CEO Pam Davis will deliver the commencement address at North Central College's 143rd graduation exercises.

"Pam Davis is one of this region's -- and the nation's -- most respected health-care administrators," said Harold Wilde, president of the Naperville college. "In addition to her professional accomplishments, her personal courage and integrity exemplify how we want our students to make a difference in this world."

Davis, the parent of a 2007 North Central graduate, will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree at the ceremony.

Commencement is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. June 7 at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, 455 S. Brainard St., Naperville.

Davis will address more than 530 members of the Class of 2008 and an expected audience of more than 6,000 people.

Since arriving at Edward Hospital in 1988 as president and chief executive officer, Davis has transformed the Naperville hospital from a relatively small community facility into a regional medical center and health-care system.

In the past year, Davis has been recognized for her personal and political courage and ethics for alerting and working with federal officials to address alleged corruption in state government.

Among her many civic and professional honors, she has been recognized as Executive of the Year by the Women Health Executives Network for her work promoting positive change in the hospital setting. She also received the 2003 Maimonides Health Care Leadership award by the Anti-Defamation League, honoring individuals in the medical community whose leadership and character are demonstrated in both word and deed.

Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is accessible to those with disabilities. In case of inclement weather, commencement will be in Gregory Arena at Merner Field House, 450 S. Brainard St.

For details on commencement activities, call the North Central College Office of Alumni Relations at (630) 637-5200.