Welcoming New Leadership
Dear Friends,
We are proud to welcome new leadership to the Michael Reese Health Trust’s Board of Directors. After completing his three-year term as Board Chairman, Harvey Barnett has passed the Chairman’s gavel to Walter R. Nathan.
Harvey leaves a great legacy as Chairman, leading the organization through a transformative strategic plan and guiding us from a private foundation to a public one.
Harvey was appointed to serve as Michael Reese’s first Strategic Planning Committee chairperson. With the full engagement of the Committee and his leadership, it was as if new life had been given to our organization.
The tremendous work and change resulting from his leadership has allowed us to learn, thrive and expand in ways we could not have imagined three years ago.
Stepping into the role of Chairman is Walter R. Nathan. Wally is the Founder and CEO of Blue Ribbon Fastener Co., a fastener distributor based in Skokie, Illinois. He has served on the board of the Michael Reese Health Trust for many years and was previously the Chairman of the Highland Park Community Foundation. Wally is a former board member of Michael Reese Hospital, Michael Reese HMO and Chicago Action for Soviet Jewry.
Wally begins his leadership at Michael Reese during this time of great change in the city of Chicago as we all work to create a stronger safety net for those most affected by COVID-19 and address the policies and systems that have inhibited equitable opportunities for all communities.
It has been an honor working with Wally for so many years on the board and I am confident he will guide us steadfastly through this public health crisis to create real, meaningful impact.
We also welcome Mally Z. Rutkoff as Executive Vice Chairman, Michelle R.B. Saddler as Vice Chairman, Grants, Gregory C. Mayer as Treasurer and Laurie Hochberg, M.D. as Secretary.
Please join me in thanking Harvey for his years of service and welcoming Wally and our other new leaders to their roles.
Sincerely,
Gayla Brockman
President and CEO, Michael Reese Health Trust