Sister Eileen Hurley Honored as “Trustee of the Year” for Service at Intermountain Health and St. Vincent Healthcare

Sister Eileen Hurley, board member of the Intermountain Health Montana | Wyoming Market Board of Directors since 2010, was honored as the Trustee of the Year Award at the Montana Hospital Association’s Annual (MHA) Conference in Billings on September 21. MHA established the Healthcare Trustee of the Year Award to honor individuals who have demonstrated noteworthy contributions to their institution and/or the Montana healthcare community. 

Sister Eileen Hurley, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, carries on the legacy of the original Sisters, who founded St. James Healthcare in Butte and St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings in the late 1800s and their commitment to healthcare ministry, with a focus on the needs the poor and vulnerable.   

Intermountain Health recognizes Sister Eileen for her commitment and leadership, especially with a focus on mission, guiding the organization on investments in the future. Sister Eileen’s leadership was integral to the organization’s success as Intermountain Health and SCL Health finalized their merger in 2022. 

“Sister Eileen is a great example of our organization’s values and she calls us all to live each one,” shared Tracy Neary, Vice President of Mission Integration for St. Vincent Healthcare and Intermountain Health Montana | Wyoming Market. “We are so honored to have her serve on our board and as a volunteer at St. Vincent.” 

 During the merger, Sister Eileen played an important role in the discernment process to ensure the Catholic identity and mission of the Catholic hospitals remains in the new organization.  In the summer of 2023, she will led our Montana hospitals in a four-month self-assessment of the expression of their Catholic identities, involving nearly one hundred caregivers to set strategic direction for the hospitals.

“The Montana Hospital Association and its members rely on the dedication and hard work of volunteer trustees around the state who commit their time, talents and resources to improving the healthcare of their neighbors,” said Bob Olsen, Montana Hospital Association CEO. “Sister Eileen has made significant and lasting impacts on the patients, caregivers and the communities served by St. Vincent Healthcare, and we are proud to award her with this well-earned recognition.” 

In addition to her service on the board of directors, Sister Eileen has volunteered with St. Vincent Healthcare’s No One Dies Alone program, which provides a comforting presence and companionship for people who are dying in the hospital but do not have family present. Sister Eileen stays with patients, often for long hours, to ensure that they are comfortable and feel safe. Sister Eileen demonstrated selflessness in performing this service to patients, especially during the pandemic with loved ones unable to visit them.  

As St. Vincent Healthcare prepares to celebrate 125 years of service in Billings, Sister. Eileen has invested additional time into gathering and telling the founding stories of the organization, through a remodeling of the hospital archives, open house events and small group meetings. Her focus on telling stories of our legacy both challenges and inspires caregivers to see how their contemporary work advances the healing mission started by her religious community.