Who was Ruth Colby? Silver Cross Hospital CEO dies at age 69

May 2024 · 3 minute read

The death of the CEO of Silver Cross Hospital has shocked a lot of people as her death has been described as “unexpected”.

Ruth Colby, 69, died abruptly on Sunday, October 15, 2023, in a Chicago university medical centre. She was the CEO and President of Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Illinois.

On Monday, October 16, Silver Cross shared the devastating news on Facebook, explaining that she died as a result of complications from a surgery she had a few weeks ago. The hospital expressed its profound condolences to Ruth’s family and all those who were mourning her death.

Ruth has been recognised by Silver Cross for her role in converting the hospital from a community health centre to a regional medical centre and a healthcare brand with national reputation.

She was regarded as being committed to excellence, quality, and keeping the hospital’s mission to serve patients as they should be treated.

Since 2017, the late CEO had served as President of Silver Cross. Ruth’s leadership and advice led to Silver Cross being recognised one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States 11 times.

The Will County executive praised the hospital for being an outstanding healthcare facility. Ruth Colby served as chair-elect of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association and was nominated to become chair in 2024, in addition to her responsibilities at Silver Cross.

Ruth Colby achievements in health career

Ruth served as Silver Cross Hospital’s chief strategy officer and senior vice president for 12 years before taking on the duties and responsibilities of CEO and President in October 2017.

The late president collaborated extensively with the hospital’s Board of Directors to develop and strengthen the institution’s vision and strategic direction. Her remarkable visionary leadership has resulted in the hospital’s revolutionary expansion over the years. Silver Cross increased its capacity from 289 to 348 beds.

The number of medical professionals at Silver Cross rose considerably under Ruth Colby’s leadership, from 350 to more than 1200. The hospital’s devotion and consistency in providing great healthcare while also investing in equipping Silver Cross with cutting-edge medical technology.

Under Ruth’s direction, Silver Cross Hospital opened the Amy, Matthew, and Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 2022, the county’s first and only Level 3 NICU. Ruth also established an open-heart surgery programme in 2019, which is currently regarded as one of the best in Illinois.

Ruth also formed alliances with many major Chicago hospital systems, bringing world-class care to the Midwest and southwest suburbs, allowing citizens convenient access to the most advanced healthcare near to home.

Cancer and neurological treatment at the University of Chicago Medicine, outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation services at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, neonatal and paediatric services at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, and lung surgery at Rush University Medical Centre are some of the outcomes of these collaborations.

Ruth Colby, in addition to the aforementioned projects, collaborated with US HealthVest to create Silver Oaks Behavioural Hospital, which has 110 beds on the Silver Cross Campus. The location opens in early 2019.

Silver Cross Hospital Mourns Ruth Colby

Ruth Colby’s untimely death has left the Silver Cross community in mourning. The hospital’s Chief of Staff, Joseph Hindo, expressed his sadness over the incident, noting that Ruth was a dear friend and a trusted and regarded colleague who was devoted to the hospital.

A.J. Wilhelmi, President and CEO of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, stated:

Ruth was a visionary leader in every sense of the word. She was a force for positive change and truly a force of nature. She made so many valuable contributions to IHA. We will miss Ruth more than words can say.”

Source: www.ghbase.com

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