Philanthropy award goes to St. Rae's veteran of 40 years

Award goes to person who demonstrates 'extraordinary commitment' to hospital


NEW HAVEN - The Hospital of Saint Raphael honored donors and the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth at the recent 2010 President’s Ball.


More than 200 people attended the 20th annual event, held annually to recognize the members of the Saint Raphael Society, Presidents’ Circle, Society of Mother Mary Xavier and Sister Louise Anthony Legacy Society, the hospital said in a statement.


The event this year also celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, the religious order that founded Saint Raphael’s in 1907, the statement said.


The Sister Anne Virginie Award for Philanthropy was given to Sister Ann Matthew Lorusso, who "has been an integral member of the Saint Raphael community for more than 40 years," the statement said.


The award "recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to Saint Raphael’s mission of compassionate caregiving," the statement said.


“Sister Ann is the embodiment of the mission of Saint Raphael’s and the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and we are delighted to recognize her years of devotion with the Sister Anne Virginie Award for Philanthropy,” said Chris O’Connor, Saint Raphael’s president and CEO.


A native of New Haven and graduate of Saint Raphael’s School of Nursing, Lorusso has been a part of Saint Raphael’s since 1968, the statement said.


During her tenure, she has worked in several departments of the hospital in a variety of management positions and now serves as coordinator for the Parish Nurse Program, which she founded in 1992.


In addition to her community outreach work, Lorusso has worked on behalf of the Saint Raphael Foundation’s many initiatives, including as an officer and trustee of its board and an integral member of most capital campaigns, event planning committees and many other fundraising efforts, the statement said.


In the photo caption, l to r, Sister Maureen Shaughnessy, general superior of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and chairwoman of the Saint Raphael Healthcare System; Chris O’Connor, president and CEO; Sister Joan Granville, president of the Saint Raphael Foundation; Sister Ann Matthew Lorusso, recipient of the Sister Anne Virginie Grimes Award for Philanthropy, and Raymond J. Peach, past chairman of the Saint Raphael Foundation.