Sisters of Providence Installs New Executive Council

HOLYOKE — The Sisters of Providence (SP) recently installed its 2009-13 Executive Council, tapping Sr. Kathleen Popko as  president and Srs. Ann Horgan and Mary Caritas Geary as councilors.

Popko, a Holyoke native, is currently executive vice president of strategy and ministry development for Catholic Health East (CHE), a national health care system, and previously served as president of the Sisters of Providence from 1985 to 1993.

Before joining CHE, she worked in several capacities for the local Sisters of Providence Health System, including serving as its president and CEO from 1994 to 1997.

Horgan, a native of Worcester, is acting administrator of Genesis Spiritual Life Center in Westfield and served on the SP Executive Council from 1997 to 2001. An experienced retreat and spiritual director and a focusing facilitator, she also serves the congregation as vocation and formation director.

She previously ministered as a nurse in SP-sponsored facilities including Mercy Hospital in Springfield, where she was supervisor of the Ambulatory Services department, and at Providence Mother House where she was administrator of the Mother House Infirmary.

Geary, an RN and native of Springfield, served the SP Congregation as president from 1969 to 1977 and on the SP Executive Council from 1985 to 1993. She served as president and CEO of Mercy Medical Center from 1977 to 1993 and during those years served on the boards and as chairperson of both the Catholic Health Assoc. and the Mass. Hospital Assoc. and as a board member of the American Hospital Assoc.

Currently, Geary, with Sisters of Providence President Joan Mullen, is leading the building of the congregation’s newest ministry, Mary’s Meadow at Providence Place. She also serves on many area boards.