Childerguild to Recognize Dr. Dave Mikolajczak & Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow at Annual Ball on November 18
Childerguild will host its 89th annual Ball Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park. This year’s theme is “Venetian Masquerade.” The evening’s festivities will include music by the Don Cagen Orchestra and the presentation of the Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence for Healthcare to Dr. Dave Mikolajczak and the Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence for Community Service to Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow.
The Childerguild Ball will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m., presentation of awards at 7 p.m., followed by dinner and dancing. Tickets are $250 per person and include an open bar. Black tie attire optional. Childerguild’s proceeds from this year’s event will be used to benefit women’s and children’s programs and services at Silver Cross Hospital. Call the Silver Cross Foundation at (815) 300-7105 to make reservations.
For over 100 years, Childerguild has served Silver Cross Hospital by raising funds to support and serve women and children. The annual tradition of the Childerguild Ball began in 1928 as a fundraiser for the Obstetrics and Pediatrics departments at Silver Cross Hospital, and keeps going strong thanks to the commitment of the members of Childerguild and to the many friends of the hospital who contribute to make this event a great success year after year. This year, the Ball Co-Chairs are Karen Eckert and Norma Thompson. The Ball Committee includes: Pat Crowley, Robin Hartney, Cindy Jaworek and Kay Langlois.
The Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence, honoring the memory of George H. Sehring, M.D.—a dedicated physician who served the community for more than 40 years, recognizes the accomplishments of an outstanding individual for service to the health care profession. Past recipients include Fred Alexander, M.D., Bun Siu Co, M.D., Mark Danielson, M.D., Samuel Goldhaber, M.D., Daniel Gutierrez, M.D., Joseph Karcavich, M.D., Lora McGuire, R.N., Paul Morimoto, M.D., Wylie Mullen, M.D., Keyton Nixon, Paul Pawlak, Dr. Al and Kay Ray, Salvador Rinella, M.D., Irving “Bill” Rudman, M.D., Tom Streitz, D.D.S., Ernesto “Ernie” Tan, M.D., and Richard Tarizzo, M.D.
This year’s recipient is Dr. Dave Mikolajczak, emergency medicine physician with EM Strategies at Silver Cross Hospital. For nearly 30 years, Silver Cross and its patients have benefitted from Dr. Mikolajczak’s exemplary leadership and passionate service. He has compassionately treated patients in the emergency room and tirelessly trained future medical professionals.
Dr. Dave Mikolajczak currently serves as the Medical Director for the Will-Grundy/Silver Cross Emergency Medical Services System, Chairman of the Credentials and Silver Cross Health Connections Physician Hospital Organization committees. Further, he serves on Silver Cross Hospital’s Board of Directors, Trauma Committee, Ethics Committee and Surgery Committee. He also has served as Medical Director of Emergency Medicine and Chief of Staff at Silver Cross Hospital.
Over the years, Dr. Mikolajczak has volunteered his time with many community groups including Road to Realty simulations with area high schools, Paramedic classes, Region 7 EMS Advisory and Trauma committees, and Advocate Physician Partners Board of Directors. In addition, he is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians.
“Dr. Mikolajczak’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to Silver Cross Hospital and this community makes him a deserving recipient of the Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence Award,” said Larry Johnson, Vice President of the Foundation for Silver Cross Hospital. “For his countless hours of service, we are truly grateful.”
The Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence will also be awarded at the Childerguild Ball. This Medal of Excellence is named after the late U.S. Congressman George E. Sangmeister, the medal’s first recipient, and is awarded to a leading citizen recognized for competence, service and dedication in a field other than healthcare that contributes to the common good. The recipient exemplifies the values of caring service that is the cornerstone of Silver Cross Hospital. Past recipients include LaVerne and Dorothy Brown, Debra Condotti, Terry D’Arcy, James “Jim” Fagan, Gladys Fox, Br. James Gaffney, Pam Heavens, Doug Hutchison, John Leach, Frank Margaron, Dr. Cheryl McCarthy, FSC, Val Rand, Bob Rogina, J.D. Ross, Rev. Isaac Singelton Sr., Russ Slinkard, and Frank Turk, Jr.
This year’s recipient is Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, lifelong resident of Joliet, and an outstanding example of a person who for over 22 years has unselfishly given many hours of his time to help others. As Will County State’s Attorney, he has implemented groundbreaking initiatives to investigate, prosecute and prevent crime.
To set up many of these initiatives, Glasgow used confiscated money forfeited to the state by criminals to fight domestic violence, safeguard children, help the mentally ill, battle street gangs and illegal drugs, and assist veterans.
Glasgow spearheaded the creation of the Will County Drug Court; the first Recovery Homes; Will County’s first Specialized Domestic Violence Court; Mental Health Court; HERO/HELPS program to warn parents, educators and teens about the deadly dangers of using heroin; High Technology Crimes Unit to investigate and prosecute predators who trade and view child pornography over the Internet; and Veterans Court to provide critical counseling and treatment to those who served our Nation and struggle with mental health and substance abuse disorder.
Glasgow also established the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995 to stop child sexual violators in their tracks. The Center has been instrumental in the successful prosecution of literally thousands of child predators over the last 22 years. In addition, some of the community organizations benefitting from his generous support are the Rotary Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way of Will County and the Forest Park Community Center.
“James Glasgow is an exceptional role model of service to the community in which he resides,” comments Johnson. “His intense passion to use the law to create fairness and justice has enhanced the lives of so many residents of Will County.”
Childerguild’s long tradition of supporting Hospital
Founded in 1910, by 13 benevolent women who had no children of their own, Childerguild was formed to benefit the obstetrics and pediatrics departments at Silver Cross Hospital. Today, Childerguild raises funds by hosting their annual Ball and by operating the hospital’s gift shop. The Childerguild Gift Shop is open Monday through Sunday and is located in the main lobby at Silver Cross Hospital. Customers are offered many unique items in the Childerguild Gift Shop, which features exclusive gifts, jewelry, unique handbags, toys, books and darling baby clothes. For more information, call the Silver Cross Volunteer Services Department at (815) 300-7117.
