Sue Ehinger named Tapestry 2019 Linda L. Ruffolo Dedication Award recipient

FORT WAYNE, IN—Sue Ehinger has been named the 2019 Linda L. Ruffolo Dedication Award honoree and will be honored on May 3, 2019, at Tapestry, sponsored by Purdue University Fort Wayne and Parkview Health.

About Sue Ehinger, Ph.D.
Sue Ehinger’s passion and positive work have been seen though all aspects of her life—profession, community, and family. Sue is known for her mentorship of others, helping countless individuals, particularly women, define and reach career, education, and personal goals. Through her work, Sue demonstrates her belief in the importance of empowerment and innovation, and she inspires others to become the best versions of themselves.

Sue has a passion for community service and currently serves on the boards of The Rescue Mission, United Way of Allen County, Embassy Foundation, Brightpoint, and the Olin & Desta Schwab Foundation. She was a founding member of The Tapestry Parkview Endowment and Scholarship Foundation in 2002, and has been a supporter of the event ever since. 

Sue began her successful career in healthcare as a nuclear medicine technologist and became program director for the St. Joseph Hospital/Parkview Hospital Radiography Program. In 1993, Sue joined Parkview Health and was responsible for quality improvement and customer service. She also served as chief quality officer and chief information officer. Sue went on to serve as president of Parkview Hospital and Affiliates, a role in which she led the design and construction of Parkview Regional Medical Center. Sue most recently served as chief experience officer for Parkview Health, where she was responsible for the excellent organizational experience for patients, families, employees, and providers, until her retirement in January 2019.

In retirement, Sue continues her involvement in community service and enjoys travel and more time with family.

Past Dedication Award recipients include Mary Ann Ziembo, Cheryl Brockmann, Linda L. Ruffolo, Hana Stith, Dorothy Kittaka, Patsy Dumas, Pat Parker, Donna Emley, Dorian Maples, Bette Harris, Weezie (Mary Louise) Doermer, Harriett and Julie Inskeep, Pat Kunkle, Ione Auer, Pat Miller and Barbara Baekgaard, Colleen Benninghoff, Suzon Motz, Patty Martone, and Betty Stein.

About the Tapestry Linda L. Ruffolo Dedication Award
Each year, Tapestry is dedicated to a female role model whose positive activities have encompassed all aspects of life, including family, community, and profession. The honor is awarded to women who exemplify a balanced life, the empowering of others, leadership, compassion, positive attitude, service to the community, strength of character, vision, and implementation.

Linda Ruffolo joined the university in November 1995 as director of development and served as the executive director of development until her retirement in June 2014. She was an advocate for the City of Fort Wayne, a tireless volunteer, and a caring friend to many. Her extensive list of achievements and volunteer roles included supporting Arts United, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Study Connection, Forte Festival, the Fort Wayne Ballet, the Fort Wayne Youtheatre, and Fort Wayne Rotary, among many others.

Ruffolo passed away in March 2015 and left a legacy of dedication to the community and university. She received the Tapestry Dedication Award posthumously in 2016 and, due to her tireless work and commitment to supporting Tapestry and the university at-large, Tapestry's executive committee felt it appropriate to name the dedication award in her honor. Ruffolo and Irene Walters, who also retired from the university after serving as its executive director of university relations and communications, founded the event, and both were original members of the Tapestry Steering Committee.

Registration for Tapestry will begin Friday, March 1, and will be available on the Tapestry website.

For additional information, contact Nicole Hahn at 260-481-4106 (office), 260-760-7409 (cell), or [email protected].

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