January 20, 2018 12:00 AM

Ryan, Caldwell named to Health Care Hall of Fame

Modern Healthcare

Two industry innovators are being inducted into the Health Care Hall of Fame—Sister Mary Jean Ryan and George Caldwell. An induction ceremony will take place March 26, in conjunction with the American College of Healthcare Executive's 2018 Congress in Chicago. More detailed profiles of both will appear in the March 26 issue of Modern Healthcare.

Sister Mary Jean Ryan

During her tenure leading SSM Health Care, Ryan was credited with championing programs to advance both gender and racial diversity. She also developed programs that gave young leaders experience in a variety of healthcare settings, from rural hospitals to urban locations. In 2002, SSM Health Care became the first health organization to win a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Career highlights:

Attended St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing, Madison, Wis.
Earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from St. Louis University

Awarded a master's in hospital and health administration from Xavier University

1959: Began nursing career

1981-86: Vice president, governing board, Sisters of St. Mary Health Care System, St. Louis

1986-2011: First president and CEO of SSM Health Care

2009-15: Board chair at SSM Health

2014: Received the Harry H. Hertz Leadership Award from the Baldrige Foundation

George Caldwell

Hailed as an innovator by his peers, Caldwell helped reshape care delivery in suburban Chicago and Washington, D.C. He was one of the first hospital administrators to advance the idea of patient-centered care. Caldwell served on several healthcare boards, including a Joint Commission advisory council. He founded the Center for Aging and the Greater Southeast Community Center for Renal Disease, both in Washington, D.C. Caldwell died Aug. 21, 2016. He was 86.