Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Honors Henry Ford Health System COO Bob Riney with Mariam C. Noland Award for Nonprofit Leadership

DETROIT – The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, a nonprofit organization that creates permanent and positive change in the community through philanthropy, announced Bob Riney, President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer at Henry Ford Health System, as the 2020 recipient of The Mariam C. Noland Award for Nonprofit Leadership.

“Bob is well-known for his leadership in the community,” said James Nicholson, Chairman PVS Chemicals, Inc. and Board Chair, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. “He has a reputation for humbly coaching people from grassroots community leaders to governors. Bob also has had a significant impact on the healthcare field in helping to redefine the role of a large healthcare institution in the community.”

The award was created in 2010 to recognize and celebrate Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan president Mariam Noland’s 25th year of service and outstanding contributions to the organization and to the region. During her leadership, Noland has been instrumental in bringing together community and civic leaders with nonprofit organizations to help create important initiatives in the community.

The award has recognized nonprofit leaders whose service exemplifies the importance of personal commitment to philanthropy. The award also highlights the importance of nonprofit leadership that influences beyond the confines of the institution served and affects the larger philanthropic community in a positive way. Riney was recognized for his many philanthropic accomplishments in the Detroit area community and joins a list of local nonprofit leaders who have been recognized with the award.

“I am very honored to have been chosen to receive this important community award,” said Riney. “I have incredible respect for the tremendous and longstanding work of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the spectacular leadership of Mariam Noland.”

“Bob is known for his numerous philanthropic efforts toward improving the overall quality of the community,” said Wright Lassiter III, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. “This award is a testament to his passion for helping others and his reputation as a caring person and leader.”

Riney’s current board and community roles include the following organizations: board member with the Nemours Foundation – one of the country’s largest foundations; vice chair of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership; board member and past chair for Michigan Health & Hospital Association; board member with the Detroit Zoological Society; board member with the M1 Rail Transit Authority; board member with The Parade Company; and board member with the Hudson-Webber Foundation.

The Community Foundation will provide a one-time grant of $10,000 to Henry Ford Health System on behalf of Riney to allow him to attend professional continuing education, take a personal sabbatical for career rejuvenation or to engage in philanthropic leadership activities. The award was established by the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation to honor Noland’s first 25 years of service to the organization. Riney was presented with the award virtually during the September 15 board meeting of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Board of Trustees.

About Henry Ford Health System:

 Under the leadership of President and CEO Wright L. Lassiter, III, Henry Ford Health System is a $6.5 billion integrated health system comprised of six hospitals, a health plan, and 250+ sites including medical centers, walk-in and urgent care clinics, pharmacy, eye care facilities and other healthcare retail.

Established in 1915 by auto industry pioneer Henry Ford, the health system now has 32,000 employees and remains home to the 1,900-member Henry Ford Medical Group, one of the nation’s oldest physician groups. An additional 2,200 physicians are also affiliated with the health system through the Henry Ford Physician Network.

Henry Ford is also one of the region’s major academic medical centers, receiving more than $100 million in annual research funding and remaining Michigan’s fourth largest NIH-funded institution. An active participant in medical education and training, the health system has trained nearly 40% of physicians currently practicing in the state and also provides education and training for other health professionals including nurses, pharmacists, radiology and respiratory technicians. For more information, visit henryford.com.

About Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan:

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a full-service philanthropic organization leading the way to positive change in our region. As a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations, the Foundation supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development, and civic affairs. 

Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $1 billion through nearly 69,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties.  For more information, visit cfsem.org.

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Media Contacts:

Henry Ford: Sal Giacona /  sgiacon1@hfhs.org / 313-421-9108

Community Foundation: Jeff Waraniak / jwaraniak@cfsem.org / 313-961-6675