As the nation prepared for this week’s visit by Pope Francis, Providence Health System in Washington, D.C., was making papal-related preparations of its own. On Friday, September 18, Providence, a member of Ascension, and the Providence Health Foundation held a dedication ceremony to announce the naming of the Pope Francis Emergency Care Center (ECC) – the first facility in the region named for the Holy Father.
The event, led by Providence President and CEO Amy E. Freeman, began with a musical reflection of Amazing Grace by the Providence Singers, a varying group of talented associates that for the dedication ceremony included Chanel Holland, Anita Jordan, Patricia B. Velloso, and Francisco Hoyos, MD, playing the mandolin. His Eminence Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, blessed and dedicated the ECC, noting that His Holiness’s message of “service to all” is embodied in the work done each and every day – for the past 154 years – by the caring physicians, other providers and associates at Providence.
Muriel Bowser, mayor of the District of Columbia, said how special Providence is, has been, and remains as a vital member of the Washington community serving in the spirit of Pope Francis.
The dedication ceremony also featured the official announcement of a major gift to Providence by Judi Teske, former Foundation Board Chair and current Board member, and her late husband, Richard. The seven-figure donation is the largest gift ever given to Providence by a living donor. The Teskes have been honored with an entrance in their name, adjacent to the Pope Francis ECC entrance. Judi was joined by other Board members and many family and friends.
The event, hosted by the Providence Health Foundation, attracted more than 200 invited guests and many associates. The program ended in song led by the Honors Choir from Elizabeth Seton High School, a Catholic college preparatory school for girls founded by the Daughters of Charity in 1959 – 98 years after they founded Providence.
Attendees at the dedication ceremony for the Pope Francis Emergency Care Center (ECC) at Providence Health System in Washington, D.C., included, from left, William Strudwick, MD, ECC Medical Director; Steve Strazzella, Chair, Providence Health System Board of Directors; Providence President and CEO Amy Freeman; Mayor Muriel Bowser; Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington; Providence Health Foundation Board of Directors member Judi Teske; and Beth Veihmeyer, Chair of the Providence Health Foundation Board.
