Joseph E. Costanza, an East Chicago native and St. Catherine Hospital board member has been honored by Calumet College of St. Joseph for distinguished service to the community. The St. Joseph the Worker Award recipient was announced during the 52nd annual Trustee’s Scholarship Ball held at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster.
Costanza was selected to receive the 2017 honor for his illustrious career as an attorney and dedication to community, country and family. This lifetime commitment to service embodies the ideals and virtues of St. Joseph the Worker, patron saint of Calumet College.
“It’s an honor to receive this distinguished award,” Costanza said. He said he had wonderful partners in his law firm and in life, his partner for 57 years, wife Aurelia.
A Northwestern University School of Law graduate, Costanza opened his practice in East Chicago in the early 1960s. He is a former director of East Chicago Chamber of Commerce, American Trust & Savings Bank in Whiting and Healthy East Chicago. He also is a former president of East Chicago Rotary Club and former legal counselor to the East Chicago Redevelopment and Economic Development commissions, Park and Recreation District and Housing Authority. He served on the Indiana Port Commission and on the board of directors for First National Bank of East Chicago. He has been a trustee for the Indiana Historical Society and is a trustee emeritus of Calumet College of St. Joseph.
He currently also serves on the Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana (CFNI) board of directors. CFNI is the parent company to Community Healthcare System comprised of St. Catherine Hospital, Community Hospital, St. Mary Medical Center and Hartsfield Village continuing care retirement community in Munster.
During Costanza’s 21-year tenure with the St. Catherine Hospital Board of Directors, numerous projects have been completed, including expansion of the Behavioral Health Services unit, the Oncology| CyberKnife® | Infusion Clinic, Family Birthing Center, Emergency department and Intensive Care unit.
Joining Costanza and his family at the event were St. Catherine Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Leo Correa and hospital board members Maria Luz Corona and R. Louie Gonzalez. Retired CEO Jo Ann Birdzell also was in attendance. She was the recipient of the St. Joseph the Worker Award in 2012.
To find out more about the hospitals of Community Healthcare System, visit online at www.comhs.org.
