Ryan, Caldwell named to Health Care Hall of Fame

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.

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

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.

Career highlights:

• Attended Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa

1955: Earned a graduate degree in hospital administration from the University of Iowa

1961-73: President of Lake Forest (Ill.) Hospital

1973-79: President and CEO of Lutheran General Hospital

1979-84: President of Lutheran General Health Care System, now part of Advocate Health Care

1984: Named board chairman of Collier Co.