Alumni/ae Spotlight

Sister Patricia (Pat) Eck (MHA ‘81)
Chair, Board of Directors
Bon Secours Health System, Inc.
Chair of the Catholic Health Association

In August 2002, Sister Pat Eck assumed the duties of Chair of the Catholic Health Association (CHA) Board of Trustees. This is a terrific honor and accomplishment! In addition to her new CHA role and responsibilities, Sr. Pat is currently the Chairperson, Board of Directors, Bon Secours Health System based in Marriottsville, MD.Sister Pat was elected and served CHA as Chair-Elect last year. The year prior to this,Sister Pat served as the CHA’s Secretary-Treasurer. Starting next summer, Sister Pat will continue to serve CHA as Past-Chair when the next Chair assumes the Chair role and responsibilities at CHA’s Assembly.

CHA represents the combined strength of its members, more than 2,000 Catholic health care sponsors, systems, facilities, and related organizations. Founded in 1915, CHA unites members to advance selected strategic issues that are best addressed together rather than as individual organizations. CHA strengthens the Church’s healing ministry in the United States by advocating for a just health care system, convening leaders to share ideas and foster collaboration, and uniting the ministry voice on critical issues.

Sister Pat is a long-time supporter of the Department of Health Administration (HAD), and was instrumental is helping to establish the new Bon Secours Scholar Program. Awarded for the first time this year to first year MHA student, Gregory Kearns, Bon Secours will pay in-state tuition and fees, about $5,804 for 2002-2003, or the equivalent amount for an out-of-state scholar. This award also includes a monthly stipend and part-time employment during the first and second academic years of the program.

Sister Pat has also been a guest speaker, and has worked with MHA students serving their residencies within Bon Secours Health System. Subsidiaries of Sister Pat’s Health System, Bon Secours, have also donated money to the Department for other student scholarships, the student lounge renovation, and sponsorship of seminars. Bon Secours also allows the Department to use Bon Secours’ facilities as “labs” for experiential learning for our students.

The faculty and students of HAD thank Sister Pat, and Bon Secours, for their persistent support of the Department, and offer sincere congratulations to Sister Pat Eck with the CHA appointment.