Lifetime Achievement Award
 |
Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett, CSA
Special Assistant to the President/CEO
Sisters of Charity Health System
Cleveland |
Sr. Mary Patricia Barrett is described as forward-thinking, not afraid to take risks and able to make difficult decisions, with Christ's people always in mind. Her career began in 1957 when she entered the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine (CSA). After serving in various social services positions and in administration at a home for dependent children, she was elected major superior of the CSA Congregation in 1973. Eight years later, she accepted the newly created position of health care planner for the congregation.
With a firm grasp on national trends in health care, Sr. Barrett knew that the future growth of the congregation's hospitals required enhanced collaboration. She assessed hospitals' finances and services, analyzed community needs and reviewed national models of health delivery systems to develop a visionary plan.
Based on her findings, CSA incorporated the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Health and Human Services (now Sisters of Charity Health System) in 1982, with Sr. Barrett at the helm as president. She deftly steered the new organization through months of transition and inspired thousands of employees with the knowledge that her vision would enable the health system to flourish. Since its inception, the system has grown exponentially and is nationally recognized for its innovative philanthropies and collaborations.
After seven years of leadership, Sr. Barrett welcomed the system's first lay president and accepted dual responsibilities as chairperson of the board of the board of trustees and vice president of mission and ministry. During her role as chairperson, Sisters of Charity made a historic decision in 1995 to create three joint-venture partnerships with a national investor-owned corporation. The endeavor led to continuing Catholic health care while also expanding the system's philanthropic ministry to include three foundations that today have combined assets of nearly $200 million. Each organization works to address root causes of poverty, nurture the growth of health communities and emphasize the needs of youth and families.
Sr. Barrett's long-standing commitment to the ministry continued after she stepped down as president of the health system. She has served on boards of hospitals and area organizations, as well as boards of Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland, the Canton Medical Education Foundation in Canton, Ohio, and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Her lifetime of service has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Greater Cleveland Hospital Association's Outstanding Trustee of the Year in 1978 and the Hospice of the Western Reserve's 2006 President's Award.