Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center Recognizes Jose E. Lopez with Inspire Award

Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center (PSMEMC) recently recognized Professor Jose E. Lopez with the Inspire Award for Community Service at a special program. The event was held at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, 3015 W. Division, in Chicago’s historic Humboldt Park. Lopez serves as Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.

The Inspire Award for community service is given annually to an individual or organization, which through their service, inspires individuals to follow their example.

“We are very excited to give this year’s Inspire Award to Professor Jose E. Lopez,” said Martin Judd, Regional President and CEO, PSMEMC, at the program. “Jose has been an exemplary leader in the community and has helped to carve out a permanent identity for the Puerto Rican community here in Humboldt Park. “

Lopez was born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, and moved with his family to Chicago in 1959 as part of the massive migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States. He has spent decades teaching students all over the country as a professor and author of Latin American and Latino Studies. He currently serves as a lecturer at both Northeastern Illinois University and University of Illinois at Chicago.

Lopez has been a strong voice for prison and education reform and has worked to put an end to the violence that is plaguing so many communities throughout Chicago.

Through his work at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, he has brought attention to some of the most pressing health issues facing the Hispanic community including HIV and the obesity epidemic. He has helped to create educational and prevention programs around these and many other issues.

“At Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth, we strive to partner with individuals who are dedicated to making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Ada Arias, MD, medical staff president-elect, PSMEMC. “We are privileged to have developed a relationship with a partner like Jose who has had an especially extraordinary impact on the lives of those he touches.”

I’m honored to receive this award,” Lopez said. “Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center has always been a key partner in serving the needs of this community. The leadership of this institution has also shown a real commitment to going out into the community to serve our most vulnerable residents.”

“It is not surprising that so many people came out tonight to honor Jose. He has had an impact on the lives of so many of us,” Judd said.

PSMEMC has a long history of working with Lopez, who has served as a member of the PSMEMC Community Relations Committee. Lopez’s support was critical to the success of the hospital’s community health needs assessment in 2013.

In the photo:  Martin Judd (right), Regional President and CEO, PSMEMC, presents the Inspire Award to Professor Jose E. Lopez.