Chicago Health Executives Forum(CHEF), the largest independent chapter of the American College of Health Executives (ACHE), has honored Pam Davis, system CEO, Edward-Elmhurst Health, with its prestigious Career Achievement Award. The announcement was made at the 41st CHEF annual meeting on February 28 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
“I can’t tell you how honored I am to be part of Edward Hospital and Edward-Elmhurst Health, and hearing from those in our community who’ve recognized the growth and quality of the healthcare we provide,” said Davis, who’s retiring on June 30, 2017. “Thanks to so many people – my family, co-workers and many mentors – I’ve lived my dream job and most importantly, I hope, contributed to the health and well-being of the community.”
When Davis arrived at Edward in 1988, she quickly established a reputation as an innovative and dynamic executive. During her tenure as President & CEO, she led Edward’s transformation from a small community hospital with an average reputation into a regional medical center rated among the most preferred hospitals in the state with numerous national accolades.
In 2013, she led the effort to merge with Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and created Edward-Elmhurst Health, a three-hospital system that includes Edward Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital and Linden Oaks Behavioral Health. The system has combined revenues of more than $1.3 billion, more than 60 locations across a service area of 1.7 million residents, nearly 8,500 employees and 2,000 physicians on its medical staff.
Under Davis’ leadership, Edward earned a reputation as a healthcare leader by providing advanced cardiac care at Edward Heart Hospital, state-of-the-art cancer diagnosis and treatment at Edward Cancer Center, world class stroke care through the Edward Neurosciences Institute in affiliation with Northwestern Medicine and mental health services through Linden Oaks. In addition, Edward has been a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence since 2005 and is one of only six hospitals in Illinois to have achieved Magnet status three times or more (the hospital was re-designated in 2010 and 2014).
Davis’ impact has been felt well beyond Naperville. She brought convenient access to high-quality healthcare for residents throughout the west and southwest suburbs, including the development of the 60-acre Edward Plainfield campus and Edward-Elmhurst Health Centers in Addison, Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Lombard, Naperville, Oak Park, Oswego, Plainfield and Yorkville. Davis also led the effort to launch Walk-In Clinics in Aurora, Bensenville, Franklin Park, Lombard, Naperville, Plainfield, River Forest, Romeoville, Westmont, Woodridge and Yorkville.
Davis was previously honored by CHEF/ACHE with the 2015 Recognition Program Service Award and 2009 Healthcare Leadership Award.
