The SSM Choir performs May 5 at the 2010 SSM Leadership Conference during the unveiling of the SSM Quilt.
Choir photos on   Flickr.




  "You Are the One"

         "Doxology"

         Kiersten Venezia and the SSM Choir: "Be My Voice"

         "Amazing Grace"

         Jerry Galipeau and the SSM Choir: "Go Make a Difference"

How the SSM Choir Came to Be

The SSM Choir began with an offhand comment by Sister Mary Jean Ryan, FSM, chair/CEO of SSM Health Care, in 2008. Sister Mary Jean had attended an event at an SSM hospital in southern Illinois, where an employee sang with a voice like an angel.

A little probing revealed that the voice belonged to Lisa Austin, an SSM Home Care employee. And quickly an idea took shape. Why not gather some of the many wonderful voices throughout our health-care system into an SSM Choir? Exactly!

Originally, the choir was to have sung at the 2009 SSM Leadership Conference in Marco Island, Fla. But that conference was cancelled when the economy tanked, and the 2010 conference was moved to St. Louis. Which was GREAT, because that meant more employees would be able to attend – and SING!

The request went out for volunteers, and 33 people signed on. Under the direction of Kiersten Venezia, the SSM Choir made its debut performance on May 5, 2010 at the Leadership Conference. The performers brought to life the conference theme: "With One Voice: Together We Can Make a Difference."

SSM Choir Members

SSM DePaul Health Center, Bridgeton, Mo.
Pat Allen
Trenia Clark 
Marvin Wooten 
JoAnn Scott 
  
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, St. Louis
Bob Davidson
Tim LaFerney  
Dr. Ken Haller
Beth Diveley   
Carlina Stuckey-Parchmon  
Mary Ann Collins  
Marcia Black Simpkins  

St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, Wis.  
Frank Byrne

St. Clare Hospital & Health Center, Baraboo, Wis.
Keri Olson  
  
SSM St. Joseph Health Center - Wentzville (Mo.)
Mary Quinlan        

SSM Hospice
Lisa Austin        

SSM St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis
Venita Griffin   
Jewell Phillips     
Garlar Williams    
Patti Kelley     
Dawn Jones
Deborah Tate
Leatha JnoBaptiste

Corporate Office, St. Louis 
Eunice Halverson    
Annice Barnes      

SSM St. Joseph Health Center, St. Charles, Mo.
Teresa DeGuire   
Tanis Caras    

St. Mary’s Health Center, Jefferson City, Mo.
Bobby Parker     

SSM Integrated Health Technologies 
Denise Sykes Collins

SSM Health Care - St. Louis       
Nichole Trice   
  
St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma City
Paula Hiller   
Brenda Harris   
Laureal Gatewood