Childerguild to Honor Dr. Judy Mitchell and Ruth Colby at Ball Nov. 23

– Childerguild will host its 95th annual Childerguild Ball Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at The Odyssey Venue in Tinley Park. The evening’s festivities presented by the Silver Cross Medical Staff and PFS Group will include music by 7th Heaven and the presentation of the 2024 Silver Cross Medals of Excellence to Joliet Junior College’s 9th President and President Emerita Dr. Judy Mitchell and posthumously to Ruth Colby, former Silver Cross Hospital President and CEO. 

The Childerguild Ball will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m. and award presentations at 7 p.m., followed by dinner, paddle raise, raffle drawing, wine pull and dancing. Tickets are $300 per person and include an open bar. Sponsorships are available. Black-tie attire is optional. 

All proceeds will benefit women and children’s programs and services at Silver Cross Hospital including the Amy, Matthew and Jav Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – Will County’s only Level III NICU. 

This year’s Ball Theme – It all Started with a Dream, recognizes Childerguild’s long-lasting mission to support Silver Cross Hospital. Since 1913, Childerguild has raised over $6 million for women and children’s healthcare services. The annual tradition of the Childerguild Ball began in 1928 as a fundraiser for the hospital’s Obstetrics and Pediatrics departments and keeps going strong thanks to the commitment of Childerguild members and the many friends of the hospital who contribute to make this event a great success year after year. 

Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence for Community Service

The Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence will also be awarded at the Childerguild Ball. This award is named after the late U.S. Congressman George E. Sangmeister, the medal’s first recipient, and is bestowed upon 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. 

The 2024 recipient is Dr. Judy Mitchell, Joliet Junior College's (JJC) ninth president, now President Emerita. Under her leadership, JJC was the 2021 winner in the Advancing Diversity category from the American Association of Community Colleges. Dr. Mitchell serves on various boards including Silver Cross Hospital, Will County Habitat Board and Workforce Services of Will County, as well as previously for Will County Center for Economic Development and Grundy County Economic Development, Three Rivers Education Partnership and Kankakee/Grundy Workforce Investment Board. She is a member of New Lenox Rotary, Zonta Club of Joliet, Joliet Chamber of Commerce, New Lenox Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Way Area Women’s Business Organization. Judy has been recognized for her contributions to education and the community, receiving the 2022 JJC Alumni Achievement Award, 2022 Boy Scouts of America Rainbow Council Distinguished Citizen Award, 2021 Gary W. Davis Ethical Leadership Award from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association and 2018 Zonta Club of Joliet’s Woman of 2018 Distinction Award.  

Silver Cross Serhing Medal of Excellence for Healthcare

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 healthcare profession. 

This year’s medal is being awarded posthumously to Ruth Colby. Ruth was passionate about excellence, quality and about upholding the Silver Cross promise to treat people the way they should be treated. During her six-year tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer for Silver Cross Hospital & Medical Centers, Ruth’s visionary leadership earned Silver Cross national recognition for safety, quality and experience as evidenced by its 100 Top Hospitals ranking 11 times, a 5-Star Rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and 17 Straight A’s for Safety from the Leapfrog Group. She was a driving force in transforming Silver Cross from a community hospital to a regional medical center and nationally recognized healthcare brand. 

To secure tickets or a sponsorship before Nov. 14, 2024, contact the Silver Cross Foundation at (815) 300-7105 or email childerguildball@gmail.com.