2009 Wholeness of Life Awards Dinner Honored Extraordinary Health Care Professionals

On November 10, 2009 nearly 500 health care, business and civic leaders attended the 23rd annual Wholeness of Life Awards Dinner at Cipriani 42nd St. The benefit raised $1,050,000 in support of HealthCare Chaplaincy’s innovative and evidence-based programs in research, education, and clinical practice.

The dinner honored health care professionals who recognize and tend to the whole person – spirit, mind and body.

Honorees included twelve patient care professionals from our metropolitan New York partner institutions, including HealthCare Chaplaincy's own Sister Elaine Goodell, P.B.V.M, staff chaplain at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, who has ministered to thousands of people during her 24 year career there.

Also honored were HealthCare Chaplaincy and its Chief Executive Officer the Reverend Dr. Walter J. Smith, S.J. Introducing Father Smith was Thomas R. Rochon, Ph.D., President, Ithaca College, and presenting the award was John M. Templeton, Jr., M.D., Chairman and President, The John Templeton Foundation. (Read citation.)

Lifetime Achievement honorees were Kathleen M. Foley, M.D., Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Clinical Pharmacology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and one of the world’s leading authorities in cancer pain management and palliative care (read citation); Jean B. Case,M.D., Internist, Preventive Medicine at New York Physicians, LLP and a specialist in internal medicine and rheumatology (read citation); and David B. Case, M.D., Executive Board Member, New York Physicians, LLP and an educator, researcher, clinician and expert in the field of hypertension (read citation).

Sister Elaine Goodell spoke on behalf of all twelve patient care honorees. (Read her remarks.)  

For more information regarding the Wholeness of Life Awards Dinner, please contact:

Nicholas L. Grimaldi
Vice President of Advancement, Major Gifts
HealthCare Chaplaincy
315 East 62nd Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10065
212.644.1111, ext. 133
ngrimaldi@healthcarechaplaincy.org