Childerguild raises over $275,000 for Silver Cross at Annual Ball

Over 565 friends of Silver Cross Hospital took a trip down the rabbit hole to attend Childerguild's Mad Hatter Ball Nov. 23. The 91st annual event raised over $275,000 to advance women's and children's services at the hospital.

The Ball Committee, led by Childerguild Member Sheryl Chapman, transformed the Odyssey Country Club's grand ballroom into a Wonderland, complete with whimsical décor featuring vintage tea cups and tea pots. Many guests embraced the imaginative theme adorning hats of all sizes and shapes while dancing the night away to the music of Maggie Speaks and the Talk of the Town Big Band.

However, the highlight of the evening was the conferral of the Sehring Medal of Excellence for outstanding service in the healthcare profession to Reno Caneva, DPM, followed by the Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence for community service to Jim Roolf.

Dr. Caneva, a retired podiatrist, is the first of three generations to graduate from Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine – now known as Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago. A leader in his field, Dr. Caneva served as president of the Illinois Podiatric Medical Society and on the board of Scholl School of Podiatric Medicine. In addition, he worked alongside the Illinois Hospital Association to allow podiatrists to serve on the medical staff at hospitals throughout the state including Silver Cross. Throughout his 45-year career, he treated thousands of patients in his offices in Lockport, Morris, Ottawa and Joliet.

"At Silver Cross, we think of Dr. Caneva as our founding father of podiatry and podiatric surgery," said Ruth Colby, President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital. "When Dr. Caneva opened his first of four offices in 1960, there were just 16 podiatrists in the entire state of Illinois. Today, we have over 16 podiatrists just on staff at Silver Cross Hospital."

Scott Paddock, Chairman of the Silver Cross Board of Trustees presented the Sangmeister Medal of Excellence to Jim Roolf. Roolf's leadership has been instrumental in bringing businesses, economic development, and infrastructure including the I-355 Tollway to the region. Over the past three decades, he has given of his time and talents to numerous boards of directors including Silver Cross Hospital, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees when Silver Cross moved to New Lenox and opened the replacement hospital in 2012. Today, Roolf serves as Chairman of the Board for the Chicago Regional Growth Corporation and the American Red Cross of Illinois Valley.

The Silver Cross Foundation is accepting nominations through Jan, 31, 2020, for the 2020 Silver Cross Medals of Excellence. For more information, call (815) 300-7113.

The 2020 Childerguild Ball will be held Saturday, Nov. 21. For more information, call the Silver Cross Foundation at (815) 300-7105.