CLEVELAND, OHIO--October 24, 2009—St. Vincent Charity Hospital tonight inducted six physicians into the Society of St. Luke. The Society of St. Luke was established in 2004 to recognize and honor selected members of the St. Vincent Charity Medical Staff for their distinguished service to their patients, the mission and the communities we serve.

As a physician and author of one of the four Gospels, St. Luke emphasized Jesus’ concern for humanity and wrote about the Lord’s many miracles of healing. His spirit continues today through The Society of St. Luke at St. Vincent Charity Hospital (SVCH). Membership is granted to past and current members of the St. Vincent Charity Hospital Medical Staff who must be at least 55 years old or have given 25 years of service to SVCH. The involvement of the candidate in research, patient care and community activities should be of the highest caliber.

The Society Physicians exemplify the highest standards reflected by The Society of St. Luke at St. Vincent Charity Hospital. They share a sense of responsibility, compassion and are steadfast in their love for the practice of medicine and the sense of community that is fostered through caring for others. Individually, they have given of their unique talents to make a difference.

The 2009 inductees, who were honored with a dinner at the Key Club at the Marriott Downtown, are:

Richard Chmiewlewski, M.D., Infectious Diseases

Richard E. Christie, M.D., Geriatric Medicine

John S. Collis, M.D., Neurosurgery

J. Thomas Lanning, Nephrology

 Elizabeth P. Macintyre, Gastroenterology

Helen Skvaza, Cardiology

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About St. Vincent Charity Hospital

St. Vincent Charity Hospital is a 480-bed, full-service inpatient and outpatient health care center dedicated to its mission of providing high-quality, Catholic health care. The Hospital has served the Greater Cleveland community for more than 144 years. St. Vincent Charity Hospital is jointly owned by the Sisters of Charity Health System and University Hospitals. For more information, visit www.stvincentcharity.com.