Rotary Club leader wins Geneva community service award

Whether leading the staff at Fox Valley Orthopaedics Institute or helping charitable causes near and far, Mary O'Brien of Geneva approaches it with drive and determination, according to her fans.

She's led the medical practice in its growth from just three doctors in one office to a staff of more than 20 practitioners in multiple locations. She's been president of both the St. Charles and Geneva Rotary clubs. TriCity Family Services has benefited from her expertise, as has Court Appointed Special Advocates-Kane County, and the Elgin Community College board.

And she also found time to be one of the first female presidents of a U.S. Golf Association club, the Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva.

Which is where Thursday night she was named the 2014 recipient of the Wood Community Service Award. The honor was bestowed by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce.

"She has had an influence on communities all over the world," said former Geneva Rotary Club President Gordie Hard, in a video preceding the announcement.

O'Brien has been the chief executive officer of Fox Valley Orthopaedics Institute for the last 28 years. She was president of the St. Charles Rotary Club in 1990 and was the first female to hold the office. She then moved to Geneva and became president of its Rotary Club in 2004.

O'Brien has been president of the American Association of Orthopedic Executives.

"Mary has two great impacts in my opinion. The first is to make Fox Valley Orthopaedic Institute a community-centric and successful business, so that the physician and employee volunteerism, and financial support would be felt by the community tenfold to that of one individual," said Dr. Kevan Ketterling, in a prepared statement. "Secondly, her active membership in Geneva Rotary Club has once again yielded an army of volunteers and fundraising activities for the community."

Hard confirmed that. Whenever a project was proposed for the Rotary Club, "her hand would raise, and others would volunteer immediately," he said.

Geneva Library board member Susan Shivers said O'Brien has become a close friend.

"She is my go-with-everywhere (to community events) buddy," Shivers said. The two also take long walks by the Fox River, Shivers said, "where we solve the problems of the world."

"Mary has an incredible business acumen and drive, that's no secret. But what people don't always see or realize is that Mary is one of the most compassionate and caring individuals one could know. She would give the shirt off her back for anyone, especially for those facing challenges from poverty and health setbacks, and the youth," her daughter, Kelley O'Brien, said in a prepared statement.

The Wood Community Service award is presented each year to an individual who has made significant contributions to the community in the areas of business, education, youth involvement, civic organizations, art, recreation, charity or government. The award is named in honor of Bill and Elise Wood, and Nell and Burton Wood.