Honoring Bob Sehring's Contributions
OSF HealthCare Ministries chairperson Sister Agnes Joseph Williams expressed deep gratitude for Sehring's extraordinary contributions. "Under his leadership, our Ministry has reached remarkable milestones. Through strategic growth via mergers and acquisitions, we now serve 17 communities with hospitals. Last year, we provided care to over 1 million patients, demonstrating unwavering strength during the pandemic and its aftermath. Our oncology services have advanced significantly, with the opening of the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria earlier this year. And his unwavering commitment to rural healthcare has been truly inspiring," she said.Sehring joined OSF in 2002 as vice president for business support services for OSF HealthPlans, Inc. and was promoted to chief executive officer in 2004. His leadership journey continued with appointments as chief Ministry Services officer in 2013 and chief executive officer of the Central Region in 2015. Finally, he became the CEO in 2017. "Serving the sacred Ministry of OSF HealthCare has been a profound blessing in my life. The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis have always served as a guiding light, ensuring we strive to serve every person with the utmost care and love. I have full confidence that Michelle will lead the Ministry with a focus on providing compassionate and advanced care to our communities in the years to come," Sehring said.Michelle Conger's Ascent to Leadership
Michelle Conger will assume the role of OSF HealthCare president in January 2025 and succeed Sehring as CEO upon his retirement. Her impact on the Ministry has been extensive, leading strategic and innovative approaches to keep OSF at the forefront of healthcare delivery. "Her leadership and dedication to operational excellence will ensure the continued success of our Ministry," Williams added.Conger began her career at OSF in 1993 in a clinical capacity and as a Six Sigma Black Belt at Peoria's OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center. Since 2010, she has been the chief strategy officer, and since 2018, she has served as the chief executive officer of OSF OnCall Digital Health. "I am truly honored for the trust the Sisters and Bob are placing in me as the next CEO. OSF HealthCare has thrived under Bob's leadership, and I look forward to our continued collaboration to advance healthcare for the communities we serve. As healthcare continues to evolve, we will prioritize ensuring OSF is a leader in meeting the expectations of our patients and advancing clinical excellence," Conger said.See photos:Inside OSF’s new Cancer Institute in PeoriaUnparalleled Barossa Valley Winemaking on the Global Stage
Winter Edition Triumphs
The Barossa winery was honored with a Grand Gold Medal for its 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021 during the winter edition. Additionally, it received Gold Medals for 12 other wines, including the 50 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021, 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, and wines from various collections like Grand Barossa, Terroirs of the Barossa, and The Château. These medals showcase the winery's exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
The 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021 stands out with its rich flavors and complexity, representing the legacy of the Barossa Valley's ancient vines. The 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 also impresses with its depth and character, a testament to the winery's ability to extract the best from mature vines.
Summer Edition Glories
At the latest summer edition, the Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Grand Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2023, and Terroirs of the Barossa Eden Valley Shiraz 2022 (along with two export-only wines) were all awarded Gold Medals. These medals further solidify Château Tanunda's position as a leading producer.
The Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, crafted from selected vineyard sites across the Barossa, exhibits a quintessential Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon profile. Aged in a combination of new and seasoned French oak for 18 months, it develops a palate of blackcurrant and vanilla with vibrant red fruits.
The Grand Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2023 is a medium-bodied red that undergoes aging in a combination of seasoned French and American oak for 18 months. This results in a wine with lifted aromas of black cherry and raspberry, along with a palate of dark berries and a hint of white pepper.
International Recognition and Mission
These international accolades support Château Tanunda's mission to champion the global recognition of fine Australian wines. Focused on the storytelling of the Barossa Valley's rare old vines and rich winemaking industry, the winery uses its status to promote Australia's premium wine sector both locally and overseas.
Family member and managing director Michelle Geber expressed pride, saying, "We are so honored to be named as Australia's Best Still Wine Producer at the Berliner Wine Trophy for the 14th time here at Château Tanunda. We are proud to share the premium Australian wine story with our global wine markets and to receive such an accolade, let alone so consecutively, is a testament to the quality of Barossa wines on the international stage."
About the Berliner Wine Trophy
Established in 2004, the Berliner Wine Trophy is renowned as Germany's most important international wine challenge. It is jointly held by the International Union of Oenologists (UIOE) and the International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV). The competition is held twice a year, in winter and summer, with over 14,000 wines from 40 countries entering each time.
Wines are blind-tasted by a jury of experts including oenologists, sommeliers, Masters of Wine, growers, traders, wine critics, and journalists in Berlin. Each entry is judged using the 100-point score system. Notably, the Berliner Wine Trophy was the first to implement the 30 per cent rule, where only the top 30 per cent of products (according to OIV standards) are awarded a medal, emphasizing the significance of these accolades.