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Christian Hospital Foundation Honors Grace Zykan, Anesthesia Associates at Dinner
GRACE ZYKAN receiving the Legacy Leadership Award last week at Christian Hospital.
By Bob Lindsey
When Grace Zykan started working as a “pink lady” volunteer at Christian Hospital in the late ’60s she never dreamed someday she would be the recipient of the first Legacy Leadership Award.
The Christian Hospital Foundation honored Grace Zykan and others at their first Legacy Leaders Dinner on Oct. 22 in the Atrium Room on the campus of Christian Hospital.
“I sort of feel like President Obama when he said he wasn’t deserving of winning the Nobel Peace Award.” Grace told the gathers, many of her children, grandchildren and close friends, at the dinner. Most of them would disagree with her assessment. Everyone believes she deserves the honor.
While Grace wore her “pink smock” volunteer attire, her daughters were candy strippers and the late Don Zykan Sr. was serving on the hospital board. Don and grace’s don, Don Zykan, Jr. has served on the hospital board for the last ten years.
The prestigious Paul F. Detrick Legacy Leadership Award was named for the late president and CEO of Christian Hospital and the person who was instrumental in bringing the hospital to North County in 1968. Detrick was very involved with the community and Grace Zykan is an excellent example of what the award represents.
Since her husband’s death ten years ago, Grace has operated Zykan Properties, has been a North County Soroptimist for over 25 years, and was a founding member of Florissant Old Town Partners. She was honored with the James Eagan Award by the Child Center at Marygrove in 2006 and was the 2006 Outstanding Business Person of the Year for the Florissant Valley Chamber (since then renamed Greater North County Chamber of Commerce)
Also honoring Grace at the dinner was Mayor Robert Lowery and the City of Florissant, which presented her “another” city proclamation and key to the city. “Grace has done so much for the city and North County, “said Mayor Lowery adding that she never says “no” when asked to serve “She’s one of the greatest ladies I’ve ever know,” said Lowery. The St. Louis County Council also presented her a proclamation from County Executive Charles Dooley.
While many have left the area, Grace who was born and raised in Florissant, attended Sacred Heart School and McCluer High School and still lives in the area.
Dr. Paul Detrick Jr. of Florissant received an award honoring his father for his efforts to bring North County and Florissant the new Christian hospital back in 1968.
The Carpe Diem (seize the day) Award as presented to Anesthesia Associates, LLC in recognition of the physician group stepping up and providing needed new monitors in the Surgery Center.
Christian Hospital Foundation’s mission is to provide the hospital with adequate funding through philanthropic support for programs to help people enjoy life by improving their health.
