Childerguild to Recognize Thomas & Michele Vana and Dr. Atul Gupta at Annual Ball Nov. 19

Childerguild will host its 93^rd annual Ball Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park. This year’s theme is “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.” The evening’s festivities will include music by Maggie Speaks and Talk of the Town Big Band and the presentation of the Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence for Healthcare to infectious disease specialist Dr. Atul Gupta and the Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence for Community Service to Thomas J. and Michele Vana. 

The Childerguild Ball will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m. and presentation of awards at 7 p.m., followed by dinner and dancing. Tickets are $300 per person and include an open bar. There are also sponsorships, a raffle, and a Heads or Tails Game. Black-tie attire is optional. 

The proceeds from the event will benefit women’s and children’s programs and services at Silver Cross Hospital. 

Click here to secure you reservation or sponsorship before Oct. 29, 2022. 

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. 

Sehring Medal of Excellence Honoring Dr. Atul Gupta

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 healthcare profession.

This year’s recipient is Atul Gupta, M.D., a board-certified infectious disease physician with Southwest Infectious Disease Associates in Joliet. As the Medical Director of Infection Prevention at Silver Cross Hospital, Dr. Gupta has been a constant source of calm and reassurance throughout the Covid-19 pandemic guiding Silver Cross through one of the most turbulent times in its 126-year history. From prevention, to testing, to treatment, to vaccination, he has served as key medical counsel and hospital spokesperson over the past 2 ½ years. 

With Dr. Gupta’s leadership and expertise, Silver Cross collected over 112,000 Covid-19 tests, rendered care to 4,500 Covid-positive patients and provided more than 30,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines. He has given freely of his time to educate the staff and public on every aspect of the virus through frequent video updates and interviews with the media including MSNBC, NBC 5 Chicago, ABC 7 Chicago, Fox 32 Chicago, WBBM Radio and WJOL.

Sangmeister Medal of Excellence Honoring Thomas J. & Michele Vana

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.This year’s recipients are Thomas J. and Michele Vana, local humanitarians and business leaders who have been tireless in their service to those in need through their expertise, energy and support. Tom’s professional resume includes leadership roles across many businesses which have faithfully served the community, including President/CEO of Kurtz Ambulance Service, Kurtz Industrial Fire Service and Kurtz Memorial Chapels. His track record of volunteer service is impressive, having served on the Board of Directors for Joliet Area Community Hospice, University of St. Francis, Amita Saint Joseph Medical Center, and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. 

A former Silver Cross Hospital nurse, Michele has served her community as a member of the Silver Cross Foundation Board and Chair of the Silver Cross Community Trustees, Illumination Gala, Childerguild Ball, and new Silver Social. She also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Joliet and Guardian Angel Services. 

The couple recently made their second transformational gift to build Will County’s first and only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Silver Cross Hospital, which is named for their triplets, Amy, Matthew and Jay. They also fund scholarships for students entering the medical field and provide support for Senior Services of Will County, Illinois Burn Camp for Children, Chicago Muscular Dystrophy Association and Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, as well as many local church, healthcare and community service organizations.