Childerguild to Honor Michael Hansen, Dr. Reza Gamagami at Ball on Nov. 22

Childerguild, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing women and children’s healthcare services, is thrilled to announce its 96th annual Childerguild Ball on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at The Westin Hotel in Lombard. This event will benefit women and children’s services at Silver Cross Hospital.

Guests will be transported to the Roaring 20s for a night of glitz and glamour, presented by First Secure Banks. The evening will feature the presentation of the 2025 Silver Cross Medals of Excellence to Dr. Reza Gamagami, a world-renowned leader in robotic surgery, and Joliet attorney Michael Hansen, a long-time supporter of numerous community organizations and projects.

Event Highlights:

• Cocktails: 6 p.m.
• Award Presentations: 7 p.m.
• Dinner, Live Auction, Paddle Raise, Raffle Drawing and Wine Pull
• Dancing to the music of Gentlemen of Leisure

Tickets: $350 per person, including an open bar. Sponsorships are available. Black-tie attire is optional.

Since 1913, Childerguild has raised over $6.8 million for women and children’s healthcare services at Silver Cross Hospital. The annual Childerguild Ball, which began in 1928, has been a cornerstone fundraiser for the hospital’s Obstetrics and Pediatrics departments, thanks to the dedication of Childerguild members and the community.

Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence for Healthcare

Recipient: Dr. Reza Gamagami

The Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence honors the legacy of George H. Sehring, M.D., a devoted physician who served the community for over 40 years. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional achievements in the healthcare profession.

The 2025 Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence recipient is Dr. Reza Gamagami, a board-certified general surgeon and founder of Progressive Surgical Associates (PSA) in New Lenox. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Gamagami has significantly advanced surgical techniques and patient care.

Dr. Gamagami is a leading expert in robotic surgery, having performed over 5,000 da Vinci robotic cases. He is currently ranked the highest-volume robotic general surgeon in Illinois and fifth in the United States. Surgeons from across the Americas visit Silver Cross Hospital to learn from his expertise in using robotic technology for complex procedures, including colon and rectal, heartburn, pancreatic and esophageal cancers, as well as abdominal wall hernias.

Dr. Gamagami has pioneered several advanced surgical techniques. He was the first in the Chicago southwest suburbs to perform major liver resections using the Habib technique for radio frequency-assisted liver resection, 5-day targeted radiation for breast cancer with Mammosite and an innovative treatment for chronic heartburn with LINX®. Under his leadership, PSA was the first in the area to offer single-incision cholecystectomy, minimally invasive gallbladder and colon surgeries using the da Vinci robot, genetic testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome with BRACAnalysis®, and Colon Ring Compression Anastomosis to aid recovery after colon surgery.

Dr. Gamagami's dedication to education and innovation has made a lasting impact on the field of surgery and the lives of his patients.

Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence for Community Service

2025 Recipient: Michael Hansen

The Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence, named after the late U.S. Congressman George E. Sangmeister, honors a distinguished citizen who has demonstrated exceptional competence, service and dedication in a non-healthcare field, thereby contributing to the common good. This prestigious award reflects the values of caring service that are central to Silver Cross Hospital.

The 2025 recipient of this esteemed medal is Michael Hansen, an attorney with 47 years of experience in corporate, business, real estate, development, gaming and estate planning law. Throughout his career, Hansen has been a prominent figure in the legal community, having founded his own law firm and served as a partner in several notable firms, including Kavanagh, Grumley and Gorbold, LLC, and Herschbach, Tracy, Johnson, Bertani & Wilson.

Hansen’s contributions extend beyond the legal field. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Empress Casino (now Hollywood Casino) in 1994, serving as Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer for Empress Entertainment, Inc., Empress Casino Joliet Corporation and Empress Casino Hammond. Additionally, Hansen was a founding member of the Joliet Professional Baseball Club (Joliet JackHammers), which brought professional baseball to Joliet in 2001. He also co-founded First Community Financial Partners, Inc. and First Community Bank of Joliet and served as an Ombudsman for the Illiana Expressway and on the Illinois Gaming Board.

Hansen’s dedication to community service is evident through his extensive involvement in various professional and community organizations. He served as Vice Chair of the Silver Cross Foundation for 12 years and is currently a member of the Silver Cross President’s Circle. He has held leadership roles in the ISBA Corporation & Securities Law Section Council and Institute of Illinois Business Law, Will County Center for Economic Development, Joliet Catholic Academy Board of Directors, Franciscan Learning Center, Crisis Line of Will County and the Notre Dame Club of Joliet. Hansen has also served on the boards of the Will County Chapter of Red Cross, Diocese of Joliet Finance Council, Joliet Catholic Academy Sports Hall of Fame and was a Troy Township Republican Precinct Committeeman.

Since retiring from law practice in 2022, Hansen has remained active in his community. He serves as the Prolife Committee Chairperson at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church and St. Joseph Catholic Church, and is a member of the St. Joseph Rockdale Catholic Church Finance Council. Hansen’s unwavering commitment to excellence and community service exemplifies the spirit of the Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence.

Secure Your Tickets or Sponsorship

Tickets and sponsorships can be secured before Oct. 24, 2025, at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/96thchilderguildball or by contacting Childerguild Ball Chair Stacy Murphy at (815) 505-5674 or childerguildball@gmail.com