The Edward Plainfield Campus was opened in 2006. While it is not the full hospital desired, Davis called it a wonderful campus that serves the community.
By Marney Simon | Enterprise Staff
The person who helped expand medical services throughout Plainfield has retired, but not without some accolades from members of the village board.
June 19 was declared “Pamela Meyer Davis Day” in the village.
Mayor Mike Collins read a proclamation recognizing Davis for her efforts over the past 29 years during Monday’s meeting of the board of trustees.
Davis retired this month as President and CEO of Edward Hospital and System CEO of Edward-Elmhurst Health.
Davis led the effort in 2013 to merge Edward Hospital and Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare to create Edward-Elmhurst Health, with more than 60 locations across a service area of 1.7 million residents. The group employs 8,500 employees, including 1,900 nurses, 2,000 doctors, and 1,300 volunteers.
“Pam led the hospitals transformation from a small community hospital into a regional medical center, the eighth largest hospital in the Chicago area,” Collins said. “The facility has become one of the premier medical centers in the nation, which includes a heart hospital, a cancer center, a neurosciences institute and a behavioral health center.”
Collins also acknowledged Davis for her efforts to open the 6-acre Edward Plainfield at 127th Street and Van Dyke Road in 2006. That facility includes an emergency room, cancer center, outpatient center, medical office building, and surgery center.
“Pam has earned local, state, and national recognition for uncovering corruption and state government,” Collins said. “[She] has positively contributed to the health of Plainfield residents and the health of Plainfield economy.”
Davis said that while a lot was accomplished, one goal was never fully reached.
“One of the biggest disappointments in my career was the fact that we weren’t able to get the hospital that was sorely needed here in Plainfield,” Davis said. “We did the best that we could by developing, I think, an incredible wonderful campus that serves a huge number of our residents… I have felt so much support from [the village board], from every department that works in government. None of us worked harder to try to get [the hospital] approved than the group of people from Plainfield who came out to hearing after hearing.”
Members of the village board said Davis has played an important role in the community.
“She did a phenomenal job, and I’m sorry to see her go, she left the hospital nearby and all of our facilities in town in very, very good shape, and I hope things will continue,” said Trustee Bill Lamb. “Unfortunately, we didn’t get the hospital like she said, but we worked hard at it.”
Davis said the recognition wasn’t just for her efforts, but for the community in general.
“I thank you so much for taking the time to recognize not just me, but so many of us who truly believe in doing the right thing and really trying to deliver excellent health care for all of us in the area.”