Those of us who work in Catholic health care are looking forward with anticipation to a historic event taking place this August in Chicagothe first jointly held annual meeting of the Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA.
Our two national associations are convening to celebrate the arrival, 275 years ago, of the Ursuline Sisters in New Orleans. These sisters are considered the founders of both our ministrieshealth care and social servicesin the United States.
Health Progress is celebrating this remarkable event with a special section devoted to both our shared history and our shared future as vital components of American society. We are proud to have contributors from across both ministries: Fr. Michael D. Place, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association; Fr. J. Bryan Hehir, president of Catholic Charities USA; Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan of the Diocese of Brooklyn, NY; Sr. Doris Gottemoeller, RSM, of Catholic Healthcare Partners; Jay P. Dolan, PhD, professor at Notre Dame; Christopher Root of the New Covenant initiative in Lansing, MI; Jane Stenson of Catholic Charities USA; Kathleen McGowan, MSW, of Catholic Charities, Joliet, IL; and Terrance P. McGuire, EdD, consultant to both Catholic Charities and CHA.
In addition, the staff of Health Progress would like to thank the staff of Charities USA, particularly Editor Ruth Liljenquist, for being patient and enthusiastic partners in our first co-publication project. (Our special section articles also appear in the Summer issue of Charities USA.) Their excellent editorial work was invaluable in bringing this issue to press.
Copyright © 2002 by the Catholic Health Association of the United States
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