title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING DEIDRE CLAYTON UPON HER RETIREMENT
WHEREAS, Deidre Clayton began her health care career in 1976 at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital as the Assistant Director of Volunteer Services; and
WHEREAS, while in this position she was tapped to coordinate the hospital reception for the visit of Pope John Paul II, and to host her first health fair, which led to the creation of a Junior Volunteer program with more than 150 students from Roberto Clemente High School; and
WHEREAS, Deidre Clayton transferred to South Chicago Community Hospital/Trinity Hospital in 1978 as the Director of Community and Volunteer Services; and
WHEREAS, As Director, Deidre was responsible there for several initiatives, including working with ABC reporter Dianne Burns to highlight stories on health initiatives at South Chicago Hospital; initiating a speaker’s bureau utilizing physicians to discuss health related topics with church groups, community and business agencies; as well as creating a youth Medical Exploring Post with high school students; and
WHEREAS, in 1993 she moved to Cook County’s Provident Hospital, where she hosted the 1996 visit of Diana, Princess of Wales, and coordinated the celebrity visits such as football Hall of Famer player Walter Payton, Ms. Black Illinois, comedian Dick Gregory, CBS news reporter Harry Porterfield, and Disney’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse; and
WHEREAS, Deidre was given the freedom to create strategic alliances with organizational leaders and politicians who would become Provident Hospital’s Community Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, she was instrumental during this time in implementing several programs, including 4 Men Only Health Fair, the Bud Billiken Parade First Aid Stations, the Medical Careers program at Beasley Academy, and several senior initiatives at St. Edmund’s Towers, TRC Senior Village, North Washington Park Senior Manor, and Judge Green Senior Village; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, Dee Clayton recreated Provident’s Employee Christmas Toy Drive, which donated 300 toys to the children from the Center for New Horizons and Ounce of Prevention. Through the support of the medical staff, she was able to coordinate the hospital’s 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th anniversaries; and
WHEREAS, Deidre has always prioritized God, family, and career in that order; and
WHEREAS, Charles, her wonderful husband of 39 years; supports Dee Clayton 2 lovely grown children, Charles Jr. and Christina; and her mother, who always will be her eternal guardian angel. Having 41 years of administrative healthcare experience, Deidre Clayton embraced her role of facilitating and creating internal and external special events for the community and employees; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners that Cook County shall recognize Deidre Clayton’s service to the citizens of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Clerk is authorized to spread upon the record of proceedings and directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to be presented to Deidre Clayton in recognition of her retirement.
Item 17-3700 was deferred at the 6/6/2017 County Board Meeting.
end