Casa de Salud to Honor SLU’s President with 2023 Visionary Award
Saint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., will receive the 2023 Visionary Award from Casa de Salud during the organization’s annual Zocaloco Virtual Gala on May 18.
“Dr. Pestello has galvanized the SLU community around a transformative vision rooted in the values and tradition of Jesuit education,” said Diego Abente, Casa’s president and CEO. “SLU has been a foundational partner to Casa, committed to building community and partnering to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors have access to quality health care.”
Casa de Salud — House of Health — was created to respond to the unmet health care needs of the region’s under and uninsured immigrant and refugee community. SLU was there from the beginning.
“From humble beginnings at our South Campus location, we’ve grown our capacity to serve every year since we opened our doors in 2010,” Abente said. “This success is due in large part to the ongoing support we receive from Saint Louis University.”
Through the foundational partnership, Casa can access the University’s academic and research expertise while providing SLU faculty and students opportunities to learn how to provide care across cultures.
“I am humbled to receive this award on behalf of the many SLU faculty, staff, students and clinicians who have generously supported Casa de Salud with their time and talent,” Pestello said. “Casa de Salud truly serves with and for others, providing compassionate care that nurtures the health of the whole person. SLU is proud to be a partner and supporter of this exemplary organization.”
In addition to honoring Pestello this year, Casa also will recognize Nick Ragone, executive vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at Ascension Health, with the 2023 Community Champion Award.
The gala begins at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 18, and will feature video presentations from the organization and this year’s awardees.