Mike Wilson, who retired in April 2009 as chief executive officer of Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital, was presented June 16 with a miniature bronze statue of Mother Joseph, foundress of the Sisters of Providence in the West. The presentation, on behalf of all the Sisters of Providence, was made by Sisters Margaret Botch, Annette Seubert and Rosalie Locati.
Only 100 of the miniature statues were cast by Felix W. de Weldon, who created the statue of Mother Joseph that has been housed in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol since 1980. Wilson becomes the 35th recipient of the mini statue of Mother Joseph kneeling next to tools she used to make architectural drawings for construction of hospitals and schools in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and southern British Columbia. Presentation of the miniature statues of Mother Joseph is not tied to any particular event or calendar date.
Presented in honor of significant accomplishments
The statues are awarded by the provincial superior and provincial council and/or the chair of the board and board of directors of Providence Health & Services. They are presented “in honor of significant accomplishments and/or contributions to the Sisters of Providence.” Selection factors may include tenure of service, quality of service, furtherance of the mission of Providence, etc.
Wilson’s wife Carol also attended the lunch at Clinkerdagger’s restaurant, where the presentation was made, as did Barbara Savage, a Providence Associate and president/sponsor of Providence Ministries. Since January 1, 2010, the three lay people and two Sisters of Providence who make up Providence Ministries have been the sponsors of Providence Health & Services.
Wilson was a Providence executive for 27 years, beginning with six years as president of Holy Family Hospital. He then took over leadership of the Heart Institute of Spokane at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Since 1991 he has held a number of executive positions at Sacred Heart, including chief operating officer, president, and ultimately chief executive of both Sacred Heart and Holy Family.
Oversaw major expansions
In presenting the statue, former Provincial Superior Margaret Botch praised Wilson‚Äôs contribution to the mission of Providence, “particularly at Sacred Heart Medical Center where you oversaw major expansion like the Surgery Center and Women’s Health Center, and the creation of Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital and – even more – assuring needed services, like psychiatry and emergency care for patients who are uninsured and have no ability pay.”
She also acknowledged “your contribution to assuring the best of health care in our region through your crucial role in the development of our region’s largest health care collaboration, Inland Northwest Health Services, and advancements in research, robotic surgery and transplant services; your contribution to the community in which we and you live through your professional and personal qualities respected by colleagues across the state who elected you as president of the Washington State Hospital Association, and especially through your warm and kind way of being a friend to so many.”