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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Joanne
4Clare Smith, M.D., who passed away on September 6, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was born in Detroit, Michigan on
6January 1, 1961; she grew up in West Bloomfield Hills,
7Michigan; she earned her Bachelor of Science from Oakland
8University in 1984; she earned her M.D. from Michigan State
9University in 1988; she pursued her residency at Northwestern
10University; she later earned her M.B.A. from the University of
11Chicago in 2000; she was a longtime Hinsdale resident; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was the longtime president and CEO of
13the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab rehabilitation research hospital
14in Streeterville, formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of
15Chicago (RIC); she joined the RIC as a practicing physician in
161992; she eventually moved into hospital management; upon
17earning her MBA, she oversaw the alliance division and
18increased the hospital's partnerships with other providers,
19hospitals, and clinics; she was promoted to interim CEO in
202006 and soon won the role permanently; she positioned the
21hospital for a major expansion, a new $550 million building,
22in 2013; she oversaw the opening of the new hospital, the
23Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, in 2017; at the time of her death, she

 

 

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1oversaw more than 2,000 clinicians, scientists, and staff; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Dr. Smith served as a faculty member of
3Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine for 25
4years; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was a brilliant leader who helped
6promote the concept of gathering physicians, scientists,
7technologists, and clinicians around patients to produce novel
8approaches and bring research directly to patients in real
9time; she will be remembered for providing hope to her
10patients; her legacy will have an impact for generations to
11come; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Dr. Smith is survived by her husband of 33 years,
13Rory Repicky; her daughter, Claire; her son, Michael; her four
14sisters; and her three brothers; therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
16HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17we mourn the passing of Joanne Clare Smith, M.D., and extend
18our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who
19knew and loved her; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21presented to the family of Dr. Smith as an expression of our

 

 

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1deepest sympathy.