They receive nominations for “Women Making a Difference” award.

Every year, the Los Angeles Business Journal recognizes women who make a difference. This year, four Providence Health Systems employees are up for the award.

Nominated by their Administrator, these women showcase a wide variety of talent and have proven to be a key ingredient to one of the country’s highest rated health care companies.

Jeanne Cole from Providence St. Joseph earned her nomination, as did Brigette Loden, Sister Colleen Settles and Kelly Kurcz, RN, all from Providence Holy Cross in Mission Hills.

Their respective categories and some information about them can be found below:

Philanthropist of the Year – This individual has had a significant impact on the well being of her community by providing leadership in raising funds and charitable donations for local organizations in need.

S. Brigette Loden

Vice President of Development

Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Foundation

S. Brigette Loden, Vice President of Development for Providence Holy Cross Foundation has 11 years of professional experience in nonprofit health care fundraising. 

Loden began her work in health care fundraising in 1996 serving as Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter Valleys’ Branch. She began her work at Providence Holy Cross in 2000 as a Major Gifts Officer and was instrumental in rebuilding the Foundation which had been nearly dormant since 1996. 

In 2002, she conducted the first ever capital campaign in Providence Holy Cross Medical Center’s forty-year history and raised $7.6 million to expand their Emergency Department and Trauma Center.   Additionally, she managed gifts in the five-and six-figure range. 

During her six years at Providence she has raised $13 million for building projects, equipment, nursing education and community outreach programs.

She was promoted to Director of Development in January 2005, and given the title of Vice President of Development in November 2006.

Loden also works with the Associate in Nursing Degree Regional Collaborative lead by College of the Canyons and Holy Cross, serves as an Advisory Board Member for KHTS-AM 1220 in Santa Clarita, and worked actively to bring a Blood Mobile donor center to service the Santa Clarita Valley. 

Throughout her life she has enjoyed helping organizations such as the Richstone Family Center, Variety Children’s Charities and the Milken Family Foundation. She co-chaired Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural To Your Health symposium, is a member of the Valley Industrial Association and very active with her church. 

Prior to entering the nonprofit arena, Loden had a lucrative career in the brokerage industry, working for companies such as Drexel Burnham Lambert and Smith Barney. She jokingly refers to her career change as “going from greed to need.”

Executive of the Year – This manager is a key member of her executive team who far exceeds the expectations of her organization and is recognized as a leader among her peers.
 

Sr.Colleen Settles, OP

Regional Director, Mission Leadership

Providence Health & Services – Southern California Region

With the formation of the Southern California Region of Providence Health System in 1999, Sr. Colleen Settles, OP, took on the role of Regional Director of Mission Leadership.  In this role, Sr. Colleen is responsible for the integration of the Mission and Core Values of Providence into all aspects of the organization, as well as its extension into the community.

Under Settles’ leadership, Providence works in partnership with community organizations to reach out to those in need.  Through collaborative efforts, access is improved to health care and health-education resources in our communities. Settles’ oversees Providence programs including Senior Outreach, Tattoo Removal, Violence Prevention, Pets with Purpose, School Nurse program, community education, Parish Nursing and many more.

In 2006 Providence contributed more than $79 million in unsponsored community benefit including charity care, unpaid costs of government programs and free and subsidized programs for the community.  These programs served more than 145,000 people.

From 1997 to 1999 Settles served as the Director for Mission Leadership for the Los Angeles Service Area. In 1989 she took the position of Director of Spiritual Care at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center.

 Prior to coming to Providence, Settles served as a chaplain for the Holy Cross Health System in South Bend, Indiana and previous to this worked in various parishes throughout the Midwest.

Settles holds a Doctorate Degree in Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago and a Masters Degree in Religious Studies from Loyola, Chicago.Settles is a member of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters. 

She is a Board Certified member of the Association of Professional Chaplains.  She is on the editorial board of “Chaplaincy Today” the association’s professional journal.  Settles has served on the Board of the local American Heart Association as the secretary and is currently a member of the Advisory Board for MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity).  She was also a member of the National Ski Patrol for 10 years.

Rising Star – This individual has made noteworthy contributions to date and is well on her way to making a meaningful imprint on the future of her organization and the local business community.

Kelly Kurcz, RN

Director, Emergency Services/Clinical Outcomes Initiatives

Providence Holy Cross Medical Center

Kelly Kurcz first came to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in May 2003 as manager of the Emergency Department.  Kelly’s unique understanding of hospital management came from her background in Finance and her experience as a Registered Nurse.

Kurcz currently serves as the Director of Emergency Services/Clinical Outcomes Initiatives and has taken an active role within hospital management.  She continually works to redesign and develop efficient trauma and emergency department processes which have led to significant improvements for the medical center.

The Trauma Center has seen a 58% decrease in diversions and the Emergency Department a 38% drop in diversion – thereby improving the community’s access to quality healthcare.  Kurcz’s high-energy and sharp ideas have allowed for key process improvements allowing the medical center to provide the community with greater access to care.

Through Kurcz’s hard work and dedication, she has also helped the Foundation in raising $7.6 million for the Emergency & Trauma Center expansion, which has been the most successful campaign in the hospital’s history. Under Kurcz leadership, the Volunteer and Patient Relations Departments at Providence Holy Cross have grown significantly and have had dramatic positive impacts on patient, employee and physician satisfaction rates.