News and Events

Sept. 15, 2026:

Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, has dedicated decades to strengthening Cuyahoga County through her leadership with the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and the Sisters of Charity Health System. During the 2026 State of the County on September 10, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne presented her with the Key to Cuyahoga County. The news was featured on Cleveland.com.

Read the full text of the Cleveland.com article below or access the article by clicking here. You can also watch a brief video from Cuyahoga County about Sr. Judith Ann by clicking here.

Sister Karam awarded Key to Cuyahoga County for decades of service

by Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland.com

Sister Judith Ann Karam received the Key to Cuyahoga County on Thursday during the 2026 State of the County address at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square.

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne presented the honor, recognizing Karam’s decades of service and leadership through the Sisters of Charity Health System, University Hospitals, the Cleveland Clinic and Alcoholics Anonymous.

“I feel honored,” Karam said in a video shared on the county’s social media channels. “How can I be deserving of it? By helping another person.”

Karam emphasized the importance of collaboration and finding common ground to address challenges facing communities.

“I don’t care if you’re mayor, head of an organization or a Catholic nun trying to get things accomplished in the community; you can’t do it alone,” she said in the video.

Ronayne launched the Key to Cuyahoga County program four years ago “to honor citizens that just do great things in our community.”

He highlighted Karam’s 64 years of service, beginning in 1962 as a pharmacy technician at St. Vincent Charity Hospital. She later helped develop and integrate medical staff during the opening and transition of St. John West Shore Hospital, now St. John Medical Center, in Westlake and served in administrative roles at St. Vincent Charity, Mercy Medical Center and Providence Hospitals. She served as president and CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System from 1998 to 2013.

Ronayne also credited her with helping shape the vision for the Glick Recovery Campus, a planned 24-hour behavioral health center on the former St. Vincent Charity Hospital site.

“The heart of our city,” Ronayne said of Karam.

In accepting the award, Karam shared the recognition with fellow Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine who worked alongside her throughout her career. She also called for all members of the community to work together to move the county forward.

“What is the common ground that will bring us together and enable us to serve?” she asked.