Mercy Health Foundation Announces Winner of 2017 Wasserman Award, Susan Taylor

Pictured: Mercy Health Foundation Chair, Greg Polachek, presents Susan Taylor with the 2017 Wasserman Award.

The Mercy Health Foundation is pleased to announce the winner of the 2017 Wasserman Award, Susan Taylor. Susan was nominated by Sister Diane Hay and Audrey Ginter. Her nomination reads:

The Wasserman Award was established by the Mercy Health Foundation to honor Sister Rita Mary Wasserman, and to recognize and appreciate someone who has diligently and consistently helped to advance the Mission of Mercy Health – Willard Hospital.  One who immediately comes to mind and fits this criteria is Susan Taylor.

There are so many ways Susan has helped Mercy Health - Willard Hospital to extend health and healing to those who come to this facility for help.  By her financial generosity patients and their families have enjoyed small, but impactful gifts that otherwise would not have been possible.

The first ones that come to mind are the Comfort Crosses.  A brief conversation with Susan, three or four years ago, planted a seed which blossomed into her giving money to buy one hundred crosses just like the ones in patient rooms and throughout the hospital.  Her brainchild was to give them to people in distress, pain, disease of any kind, so they would be comforted.  She then suggested calling them “Comfort Crosses”.  The dozens and dozens of Crosses that have been given out have done just that – brought comfort and oftentimes tears of gratitude to those who have received one.

The beautiful hospital chapel is never without a gorgeous bouquet of flowers on our monthly Mass day.  The flowers bring joy to employees as well as our friends from the Willows and their families.  Everyone looks forward to seeing the creative arrangements that appear on that day.

The Spiritual Care Department is able to be on the cutting edge of educational opportunities because of Susan’s help in this area.  It seems Susan is never at a loss for innovative ways of helping advance the Mission.

Several departments in the hospital have likewise benefitted from Susan generosity.  Equipment that has helped improve lives of those in need, has been possible through the creativity of Susan.

Susan often checks on staff, asks how things are going, offers words of encouragement and somehow remembers specials days like anniversaries and birthdays. She is truly a special friend of Mercy.

We are humbled and grateful for all Susan has done to help us continue the work that Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy have passed on for us to do.  We stand on broad shoulders and we do what is ours to do.  Susan is a friend and partner with whom we join hands and together walk into a future of hope.

Susan’s gifts are often made in memory of her parents, Dorothy and Harry Ferguson. What a wonderful way to honor them and we are pleased to honor Susan with the Wasserman Award.

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