Deaconess was honored as the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year at last night’s annual chamber dinner. To be considered for this honor, the business must be actively involved in improving the quality of life in our region as it relates to economic development, creation of jobs, and addressing the needs of the community.


(Fourth and fifth from the left are (respectively) Linda E. White, CEO Emerita and Director of the Deaconess Foundation, and Dr. James Porter, President of Deaconess Health System.)


Deaconess has a 125 year history of serving the greater Evansville community. From the days of trained Deaconesses tending to the sick, to the growth and advanced technology of today, Deaconess has remained committed to advancing the health and well-being of our community, with a compassionate and caring spirit.

Nomination Highlights:

• More than 125 years later, Deaconess is still a locally operated organization focused on improving the health and lives of our community and greater region.
• Deaconess continues to receive high marks and recertification from health care accrediting bodies. This includes overall hospital accreditation by HFAP (Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program), designation as a Magnet organization (relates to nursing excellence), six years as a Most Wired organization (for excellence in health care I.T.), and a selected participant in the national Next Generation Accountable Care Organization.
• Currently, Deaconess is the largest employer in the area with more than 5,800 staff members.
• Construction of the Linda E. White Hospice House on the Midtown Campus coupled with the Gateway expansion project pumped nearly $150 million into the local economy in the last three years.
• Approximately 200 new health care jobs will be available as the new facilities open and begin operation.
• Local contractors and construction businesses have been used for the projects with 200 workers currently onsite at The Orthopedic and Neuroscience Hospital.
• Deaconess expended $61 million for community benefit programs and activities during fiscal year 2016. This includes almost $20 million in charity care and patient discounts for the medically indigent. It also includes $2.5 million worth of discounted care provided during 20,000 patient encounters at the Deaconess Family Medicine Residency Clinic.