Diane Ludwig (left) and Kathleen Trace
The SSJCF is pleased to announce the addition of two members to its Board of Directors - Diane Ludwig and Kathleen Trace. Ms. Ludwig and Ms. Trace began their four-year terms on April 3, 2008.
Diane Ludwig is the Director of the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation, a regional agency working to advance economic development in Calhoun and Wirt Counties in West Virginia.
Since the beginning of her tenure in 2002, Ms. Ludwig's primary responsibilities include serving as a liaison between local and regional governments, providing assistance with workforce development initiatives, and grant writing assistance when needed.
"West Virginia's population is aging. Consequently, health and wellness issues are more important than ever because they contribute to the quality of life of our communities," says Ms. Ludwig.
 "My concern about these issues," she continued, "and my respect for the role the Charitable Fund has played in developing and identifying opportunities for our communities to become more active and healthy made my decision to join the board quite easy. I'm looking forward to working with the board members, staff; and, to helping the Charitable Fund continue its outreach of wholistic health."
Ms. Ludwig is a graduate of WVU at Parkersburg, the National Development Council EDFP training program and certification, the WVU Local Government Leadership Academy, and the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. She resides in Wirt County.
Kathleen (Kathy) Trace is the Director of Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and Community Health Programs (CHP) for Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. Ms. Trace is primarily responsible for the successful implementation of AHEC and CHP programs, including needs assessments and resource development.
"I have a personal mission of promoting health and wellness; and, helping others to help themselves," states Ms. Trace. The challenge is that "there is a great need in the health and wellness area, which is complicated by a complex system that many find difficult to access and understand."
Working with the Charitable Fund is a way to assist people in reaching "their potential and becoming as healthy as they can be."
Ms. Trace is a registered nurse with a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration from Ohio University, and most recently voted Ohio's Distinguished Rural Health Administrator in 2007. She resides in Athens County, Ohio.
"The talent and professional diversity of our board has always been one of the Charitable Fund's key assets," said Thomas Whittier, president of the SSJCF board of directors, "and
the Charitable Fund is adding essential local knowledge to our Board with the inclusion of Diane Ludwig and Kathy Trace."
"Diane and Kathy," continued Whittier, "have extensive experience working in the health-related field. Both have expertise in needs assessments, resource development and management, and developing better access to healthcare in their respective counties.
Their background and knowledge will provide valuable insights as the Charitable Fund strives to become a leading resource in helping to meet the health and wellness needs of the MOV. We look forward to working with them and benefiting from their considerable experience and knowledge."
ABOUT SSJCF
The Sisters of St. Joseph Charitable Fund was created by the SSJ Health System from monies received when St. Joseph's Hospital and Columbia/HCA entered into a joint venture relationship. The Charitable Fund is a separately incorporated not-for-profit corporation whose assets are directed to continue the health and wellness ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wheeling and the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The SSJCF strives to meet the health and wellness needs of the vulnerable and underserved. It serves 11 counties in the Mid Ohio Valley: Athens, Meigs, and Washington Counties in Ohio; Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt, Wood Counties in West Virginia. The Fund recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary of grantmaking and, to date, has awarded more than $9.5 million in grant funding to 305 non-profit organizations in its service area. For more information about the Charitable Fund, visit www.ssjcharitablefund.org
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