Couple will receive inaugural St. Vincent de Paul Award at biennial St. Vincent Charity Gala

CLEVELAND, OH – September 24, 2010 – Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, president and CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, will present the first-ever St. Vincent de Paul Award to Senator George V. Voinovich and Janet Voinovich at PIZZAZZ 2010, the St. Vincent Charity Gala, on Saturday, October 23 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.

The couple is being recognized for their steadfast commitment to and their unwavering embrace of the values exemplified by Catholic social teaching. The award is in honor of St. Vincent de Paul, patron saint of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center who embodied the spirit of true charity.  This award is given to a community leader who exemplifies the spirit of St. Vincent through servant leadership, friendship, counsel and community involvement toward the greater good of the Cleveland community.

“Over the years, Senator and Mrs. Voinovich have shown kindness, support, encouragement and a remarkable commitment to Ohio, to Cleveland and to St. Vincent Charity,” said Sister Judith Ann Karam. “They embody the beauty that St. Vincent de Paul found in serving others and their leadership shines as a beacon to those who will follow in their footsteps.”

The St. Vincent de Paul Award will be presented at PIZZAZZ 2010. Proceeds from the biennial gala support St. Vincent Charity Medical Center’s ongoing commitment to provide clinically excellent and compassionate care to all.   For ticket information to the event, please call Jennifer Highfield at 216.875.4605, Jennifer.Highfield@stvincentcharity.com  or visit our website, www.stvincentcharity.com/giving.  

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About St. Vincent Charity Medical Center St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is Cleveland’s faith-based, high-quality healthcare provider. Our distinguished doctors and caregivers are devoted to treating every patient with clinical excellence and compassionate care. St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is home to the renowned Spine and Orthopedic Institute and the Center for Bariatric Surgery. Owned by the Sisters of Charity Health System, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center has been caring for Clevelanders since 1865. For more information, visit www.stvincentcharity.com.