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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Joanne 
4Clare Smith, M.D., who passed away on September 6, 2021; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was born in Detroit, Michigan on 
6January 1, 1961; she grew up in West Bloomfield Hills, 
7Michigan; she earned her Bachelor of Science from Oakland 
8University in 1984; she earned her M.D. from Michigan State 
9University in 1988; she pursued her residency at Northwestern 
10University; she later earned her M.B.A. from the University of 
11Chicago in 2000; she was a longtime Hinsdale resident; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was the longtime president and CEO of 
13the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab rehabilitation research hospital 
14in Streeterville, formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of 
15Chicago (RIC); she joined the RIC as a practicing physician in 
161992; she eventually moved into hospital management; upon 
17earning her MBA, she oversaw the alliance division and 
18increased the hospital's partnerships with other providers, 
19hospitals, and clinics; she was promoted to interim CEO in 
202006 and soon won the role permanently; she positioned the 
21hospital for a major expansion, a new $550 million building, 
22in 2013; she oversaw the opening of the new hospital, the 
23Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, in 2017; at the time of her death, she 
 
 
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1oversaw more than 2,000 clinicians, scientists, and staff; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, Dr. Smith served as a faculty member of 
3Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine for 25 
4years; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was a brilliant leader who helped 
6promote the concept of gathering physicians, scientists, 
7technologists, and clinicians around patients to produce novel 
8approaches and bring research directly to patients in real 
9time; she will be remembered for providing hope to her 
10patients; her legacy will have an impact for generations to 
11come; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Dr. Smith is survived by her husband of 33 years, 
13Rory Repicky; her daughter, Claire; her son, Michael; her four 
14sisters; and her three brothers; therefore, be it
  
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
16HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
17we mourn the passing of Joanne Clare Smith, M.D., and extend 
18our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who 
19knew and loved her; and be it further
  
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
21presented to the family of Dr. Smith as an expression of our 
 
 
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1deepest sympathy.