USF, Joliet Chamber honor doctor with community leadership award
The University of St. Francis and Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry have given the Marx Gibson Community Leadership Award to Dr. Albert Ray, Jr. of Joliet.
Ray is the sixth recipient of the award given in the name of the late newspaperman Marx Gibson, who was dedicated to volunteerism and making a positive difference in the community. The Marx Gibson Community Leadership Award is given jointly by the University of St. Francis and the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The award was presented Nov. 10 at the chamber’s Community Leadership School graduation dinner.
"Dr. Ray is someone who exemplifies volunteer leadership, community dedication and effective leadership for improving the quality of life in the greater Joliet region," said Russ Slinkard, CEO of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "He has given unselfishly of his time and energy every day since coming to Joliet to make a difference in our community."
"The Marx Gibson Community Leadership Award is very much in keeping with the university’s mission and Franciscan ideal of service through leadership," said University of St. Francis President Vinciguerra. "Dr. Ray provides an example of service and leadership that we hope to live and instill in our students at the University of St. Francis."
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| Mrs. Kay Ray, Dr. Albert Ray, Mr. Russ Slinkard |
Dr. Albert Ray’s medical career spanned 35 years as he worked with Associated Anesthesiologists of Joliet.
Ray was at the forefront of identifying community need and being part of the solution. Some 20,000 parents and students in Will and Grundy counties learned about the dangers of drug abuse through an education and treatment program spearheaded by Ray from 1969-74. Ray served as the chair of the then newly formed Drug Coordination and Information Council for Will County from 1970-73 and as medical director for a methadone treatment clinic from 1972-78.
He sought other ways to educate and gave introductory lectures to new parents classes on OB anesthesia to ease the concerns of soon-to-be parents.
Ray is the recipient of the Joliet Area PTA Council Lifetime Membership Award for Community Service and the Joliet/Will County Project Pride 2004 Award recipient.
Today, Ray continues to serve his community through leadership roles at Grace United Methodist Church, where among other projects, he is chair of the Appalachian Service Project Committee. He is a board member of the Will-Grundy Medical Society and Physicians Division co-chair and Pillars Society member of the United Way of Will County.
He is a member of the Illinois Medical Political Action Committee and the Illinois Medical Anesthesia Political Action Committee.
Ray volunteers regularly with the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, which he has done since 1964. He is a past president of the clinic’s board, and now serves as chair of the Medical Advisory Committee, which works to bring prescription drugs to indigent patients.
Ray and his wife Kay have three children, Joanne, Kathryn and Jeff. They are also enjoying three young grandchildren, Christopher, Isabella and Lily.
Ray takes a pragmatic view of the vast community service. As the son of a Methodist preacher, he says he just had to serve, there was no questioning it. Also, he advises that "it’s just good common sense that if you want to get along with people, you’ve got to belong with them." And, thirdly, he says, "if there is a need, and you can provide, you do."
The Marx Gibson Community Leadership Award, established in 2000 was first given to Diane Habiger, owner and manager of Lincolnshire Properties. The 2001 award was given to Robert Wysocki, owner of Grant’s. In 2002, long-time vice president of Joliet Junior College, Walter Zaida received the award. Pam Heavens, executive director of Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, was awarded 2003. And, in 2004, J. D. Ross, president of Joliet Junior College received the award.
The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry works to advance the interests of business, professional and service organizations in the Joliet region, acting as their voice in governmental and social affairs, communicating and servicing their needs and enhancing the business environment and the local quality of life. For more information about the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, call (815) 727-5371 or visit www.jolietchamber.com.
Founded in 1920, the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, serves more than 4,100 students nationwide. USF offers more than 60 areas of undergraduate study in arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and health care and social work. Twelve graduate programs are also offered. For more information about the University of St. Francis, call (800) 735-7500 or visit www.stfrancis.edu.