UChicago Medicine AdventHealth hosted “A Night of Wholeness and Thanksgiving” at the Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church on Friday, November 1. Through stories, music and inspiring testimonials, the evening highlighted the profound impact UChicago Medicine AdventHealth has on the lives of patients and families.
More than 120 employees, church members and community members gathered to celebrate the mission and purpose that drives the organization. Through stories, music and inspiring testimonials, the evening highlighted the profound impact UChicago Medicine AdventHealth has on the lives of patients and families.
“Gratitude can reshape how you speak and what makes you feel whole,” said Monica Reed, MD, president and CEO of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, in her opening remarks. “Tonight represents an opportunity to celebrate and be thankful for the work we do, the people we serve and to express gratitude for our community.”
In addition to celebrating the organization’s workforce as a whole, the event spotlighted three remarkable team members, each representing a unique facet of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth’s mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ.
General Surgeon Jason Goliath, MD, shared a story of providing charity care to a Ukrainian refugee he met at a free medical clinic hosted by UChicago Medicine AdventHealth GlenOaks in June. The patient needed an emergency hernia operation, and, thanks to timely intervention and collaboration from the hospital’s leadership team, the surgery was successfully performed free of charge shortly after the clinic.
Lisa Grigsby, director of educational services at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth GlenOaks, spoke about the power of education in transforming lives. Through her work at the school she helped start in 1994, Grigsby has seen countless students overcome personal challenges and thrive. The school’s individualized approach to education and whole-person care reflects UChicago Medicine AdventHealth’s mission, offering not only academic instruction but emotional and social support for students and their families.
Sharon Bowers, RN, perinatal loss coordinator at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale, shared insights from her 35-year career supporting families through unimaginable loss. She coordinates the “Still Missed” program, which helps families coping with the loss of stillborn babies or newborns.
Providing music throughout the evening was the AdventHealth liturgical band, Lifelong Music, who traveled from Orlando, Florida for the event. Their songs offered moments of pause and reflection between each inspiring story.
The evening concluded with an insightful presentation from keynote speaker Tim Cook, chief mission integration officer at AdventHealth, who traveled from Florida to share his thoughts on wholeness, gratitude and its impact on daily life and work. “As a faith-based organization it means our work is experienced by us as a spiritual calling, something we were born to do,” he said. “You see each patient, each family member and each team member as a loved child of God, and it pours out to those we care for.”
The health system was also honored during Sabbath morning services at local Adventist churches, where Cook, members of Lifelong Music and UChicago Medicine AdventHealth leadership spoke and performed, offering an additional opportunity to connect with the community and highlight the organization’s mission and values.
UChicago Medicine AdventHealth plans to host the Night of Wholeness and Thanksgiving annually in November.
Chris Zurales, manager of marketing and communications at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth
