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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING DR. BEENA S. PETERS ON HER RETIREMENT FROM COOK COUNTY HEALTH
WHEREAS, Beena S. Peters was born in India and began her professional nursing education at the internationally renowned Christian Medical College in Vellore, India where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, Beena Peters migrated to the United States and continued her professional journey in nursing and healthcare leadership; and
WHEREAS, Beena Peters pursued advanced education at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Nursing, where she completed her Master of Science in Nursing and later earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) specializing in health systems leadership and nursing informatics; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, Beena Peters joined the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System as a Staff Nurse and rose through the ranks eventually becoming the Associate Chief Nursing Officer; and
WHEREAS, in 2018 Beena S. Peters, DNP, RN, MS, FACHE, FABC, FAAN, joined Cook County Health serving as the Chief Nursing Executive, where she provided visionary leadership for nursing practice across one of the nation's largest public health systems; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peters focused on the advancement of nursing practice across all facets of CCH including nursing operations for Stroger and Provident hospitals, correctional health, ambulatory services, public health, and CountyCare; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure at Cook County Health, Dr. Peters was dedicated to staff engagement and development, initiated staff recognition programs, including the Daisy Award for nurses, created the first Nursing Triennial Report and Strategic Plan and convened a Nursing School Summit with over 20 academic nursing programs as a workforce pipeline strategy; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peters influence extends beyond the health system through her service on prominent community and academic boards, including the UIC College of Nursing External Advisory Board and the Institute of Medicine of Chicago (IOMC) Board of Governors and she is the founding president of the Indian Nursing Association of Illinois, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing the profession and fostering community; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peters' distinguished career has been marked by numerous honors and recognitions, including the 2023 Joan L. Shaver Outstanding Illinois Nurse Leader Award, the Jonas Salk Health Leadership Award from the March of Dimes, the Woman Icon Award, and the Outstanding Professional Award from KCCNA. These accolades reflect not only her professional excellence but also her enduring impact on the field of nursing leadership; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby extend its congratulations to Dr. Beena S. Peters on her remarkable career of service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Peters in recognition of her service to the patients of Cook County Health.
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