Hospital honors Humanitarian

At the hospital's annual remembrance event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., St. Bernard named Yvonne M. Grabe as the 2010 Humanitarian Award winner. The award is given annually to a community leader who exhibits exceptional dedication to community.

Ms. Grabe has served the Englewood community for the last five years at Christmas through the St. Bernard Hospital Adopt-a-Family program. Each year she asks friends to support her fundraising efforts so that she can have food to fill the Christmas baskets she provides to needy families. The families receive enough food to last for two months.

Professionally, Ms. Grabe is a school teacher with four years experience in the St. Benedict Elementary School on the north side. She is the CEO of Yvonne’s Dance Academy where she teaches dancing lessons for youth ages two to fourteen years old.

Ms. Grabe is a graduate of DePaul University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Developmental Psychology. Presently she is studying for her Master's degree in Human Services and Counseling.

Past awardees include: (1997) Ronnie Phillips (1998) Evelyn Jones (1999) Sister Elizabeth Van Straten (2000) Henry Wilson (2001) Ms. Jo Marie Cooper (2002) Dr. Henry Wiggins (2003) Chicago Fire Fighters, Engines #84, #54, #47 (2004) Rev. Clay Evans (2005) Father Robert Bossie (2006) Barbara Young (2007) Suchitra P. Surapiboonchai (2008) Dr. Jerry Mutua (2009) Ronald Campbell.

Pictured left to right, Dr. Henry Wiggins (Senior Attending, Radiology), keynote speaker Monica L. Young, Yvonne Grabe, and St. Bernard President & CEO Sister Elizabeth Van Straten, RHSJ.