Lourdes Health System Names Sister Elizabeth Corry Award Winner

Lourdes Health System employee and Langhorne, PA, resident Hollis Evans has been selected as the recipient of Lourdes’ prestigious 2017 Sister M. Elizabeth Corry, OSF Award. The annual award is the highest honor bestowed upon a Lourdes Health System employee and is named after the former president of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.

Evans, a licensed clinical social worker with the Mental Health Unit at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, was among 16 employees from throughout the health system nominated for demonstrating the core value of “Stewardship.”

“It's a very humbling, emotional experience, and a surprise,” said Evans. “My co-workers who were nominated alongside me were all so worthy. A person doesn’t go into social work seeking fame or recognition. But it is nice to be noted for doing something that you truly care about and love. I’m lucky to work with such a wonderful group of people. And I’m very fortunate to work at Lourdes—an organization whose values of compassion and caring are evident in every interaction with a patient, family member and loved one.”

A native of Indiana, Evans was a hospital administrator for 22 years. But after facing a life-changing health issue, he decided he wanted to be more connected to patients. Evans joined Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County in 2007, and cares for patients who not only suffer from mental illness and drug/alcohol abuse, but also financial hardships as well. He is noted for freely giving his all to the patients he serves.

In his nomination, Evans was cited for helping a patient with mental illness and alcoholism who was admitted to the Mental Health Unit after 50 emergency room visits.

“Hollis worked diligently, getting the patient the necessary funding, medicine and admission into a long-term rehabilitation center,” wrote a nominator. “It took much patience to work with this patient and family due to a language barrier. Hollis persevered and educated the family on addiction and the steps needed for rehabilitation, and even hand-delivered the patient’s medication.”

Evans also is noted for going on his own time to pick up patients’ belongings from shelters and motel rooms, obtaining medication and using his own money to pay for transportation, food, clothing and other patient needs. He also encourages patients to call him after discharge if they need help or just want to check in.

Evans' co-workers noted his devotion to the staff as well. “He's a great team player,” said recreational therapist Sheila Finamore. “He supports the staff and all the units.”

“He always has a positive message for everyone,” said Allan Boyer, Director of Lourdes Behavioral Health units.

Lourdes President Reginald Blaber, MD, credited Sister Elizabeth for creating the culture of caring and compassion epitomized by staff members like Evans.

“There is no greater legacy that Sr. Elizabeth Corry left than the culture which has impacted generations of our patients,” he said. “This is what separates us, our values. We just don’t talk about our values, we live them every day.”

Sr. M. Elizabeth Corry, OSF, served as president of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center from 1969 to 1983 and 1987 to 1995. Under her guidance and leadership, Lourdes initiated many of the services which the medical center is known for today, including cardiology, organ transplantation, acute physical rehabilitation and high-risk maternity care. In 1995, Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center became the only hospital in the tri-state area (New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware) ever to have been given the American Hospital Association’s Foster McGaw award for excellence in community service. Sr. Elizabeth passed away in February 2015.

Caption: Evans holds his award in front of a portrait of Sr. Elizabeth Corry, OSF.