Mercy Development Foundation awards Sr. Judith Ann Karam, CSA, St. Augustine Award for Distinguished Service

Tuesday, October 01, 2019

Tags: Mercy Medical Center , health care

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The Mercy Development Foundation, which supports the mission of Mercy Medical Center, honored Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, congregational leader of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, with its 2019 St. Augustine Award for Distinguished Service During its annual Founders Day ceremony and donor recognition event September 29 at Mercy Medical Center. This award recognizes individuals whose leadership and vision have impacted and transformed the medical center.

During his remarks on Founders Day, Tom Turner, president, Mercy Development Foundation, and vice president of development and government relations at Mercy Medical Center, said, “In every phase of Sister's existence, her work and dedication has been focused on saving lives and better outcomes for others. How proud we are here at Mercy for the impact she has had on our hospital and on our foundation.” 

Karam began her health care ministry in 1962, working as a pharmacy technician, a pharmacist, and an administrator. President and CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System from 1998 to 2013, she is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served on hospital boards, including the Catholic Health Association of the United States, since 1973. She was inducted into the Ohio Hospital Association Healthcare Hall of Fame in 2018 for her extraordinary contributions to the delivery of healthcare for Ohioans. 

“Sister Judith Ann has excelled in every aspect of her career and also as a leader in her vocation to the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine,” said Turner.

A member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, Karam has served as their major superior and is currently the congregational leader. In addition, she’s had a lifetime of community involvement, including St. Ignatius of Antioch Church lector, a Stokes Civic Leadership Institute Senior Fellow, American Red Cross Cleveland Chapter board member, and a Walsh University board member.

About Mercy Medical Center
Mercy Medical Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, operates a 476-bed hospital serving Stark, Carroll, Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas Counties and parts of Southeastern Ohio. It has 620 members on its Medical Staff and employs 2,500 people. Mercy operates outpatient health centers in Alliance, Carroll County, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Louisville, Massillon, North Canton, Plain Township and Tuscarawas County. A Catholic hospital, Mercy Medical Center upholds the mission and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and continues to be responsive to the needs of the community. For more information, see cantonmercy.org.

(pictured left to right): Thomas J. Strauss, president & CEO of Sisters of Charity Health System and interim CEO of Mercy Medical Center; Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, congressional leader of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine; Tom Turner, president of Mercy Development Foundation and vice president of development and government relations at Mercy Medical Center