Rev. Larry Jackson, Vice President of Mission & Spiritual Care Advocate Trinity and at Advocate South Suburban hospitals, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Spirit of Excellence Award in Health Care by the Southland Ministerial Health Network.
Rev. Jackson has a long history with Advocate Health Care, beginning in nutrition and support services before receiving his Masters of Divinity and moving into Mission & Spiritual Care leadership. Rev. Jackson served as the Director of Mission & Spiritual Care at Advocate Bethany Hospital in Chicago from 2003 to 2006 and currently serves as Vice President of Mission and Spiritual Care over Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, Ill. and Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago.
“I am humbled to receive this recognition. This work is about serving people and helping our communities become healthy communities,” said Rev. Jackson. “For me, this service award symbolizes who I am, as a person. I try to utilize all the resources available to me to make an impact. One of Advocate’s values is excellence, so we strive to collaborate and strengthen partnerships that advance the overall community.”
The Southland Ministerial Health Network is led by Dr. Carl L. White Jr. and works to address the health disparities in Chicago’s southland, to ensure the health and vitality of members of their communities and congregations. They hold monthly meetings where they provide information, inspiration and resources on health care to citizens of the southland and surrounding communities. One of their goals is to encourage faith groups to live up to their potential as agents to prevent unnecessary suffering.
“We’ve been partnering with the Southland Ministerial Network to heighten awareness of community health for a number of years, addressing issues from mental illness to diabetes and childhood asthma,” said Rev. Jackson. “They were one of the first groups I knew of that came together and said ‘we need to tell people about blood pressure, to educate them’ and to reach out to hospitals directly for assistance. They recognize that the faith community is part of the health and healing ministry and have been strong partners in this work.”
The awards are given on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day because Dr. King was a leader in service and in his community. In addition to the recognition for health care, the Southland Ministerial Health Network gave awards in the categories Business, Education, Social Action and Drum Major for Justice and recognized one member with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
"We all know that Rev. Larry Jackson is a stellar example of the Value of Excellence, as well as Compassion, Partnership, Stewardship and Equality. It is fantastic that this is recognized, not only within our walls, but also in the community he so dutifully serves," said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, president of Advocate Trinity Hospital.
About Trinity Hospital
Providing healthcare on the Southeast Side of Chicago for over 115 years, Advocate Trinity Hospital is a 193-bed not-for-profit health care facility. Part of Advocate Health Care, Trinity offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient services as well as a variety of community outreach programs. For more information on Trinity, please visit www.advocatehealth.com/trinity.
To schedule an appointment with an Advocate physician call 800-3-ADVOCATE.