Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital has announced Rabbi Mark Shook, and his wife, Carol, will be the honorees for this year’s Mary Ranken Jordan Service to Children Award.

Given annually, the Mary Ranken Jordan Service to Children Award honors those who selflessly serve Ranken Jordan and the St. Louis community, and by their example, encourages others to do the same. The award also recognizes individuals demonstrating commitment to the ideals and vision established in 1941 by the hospital’s founder, Mary Ranken Jordan.

The award will be presented to the couple at the Beyond Gala Sept. 21 at The Ritz Carlton in St. Louis.

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Shook has worked with Ranken Jordan since 1995, when he was the senior rabbi at Temple Israel. He went on to join the board, eventually becoming board president. Shook led Ranken Jordan through tremendous transformation and the birth of a new facility in Maryland Heights, as well as the shift from being a nursing home to a pediatric specialty hospital.

In 2004, a new 62,000-square-foot, 34-bed facility opened its doors. The Shook Circle in front of the facility is named in his honor.

Nearly 30 years later, Shook remains on the Ranken Jordan board and continues to guide the organization as it evolves today.

For more information about Ranken Jordan, visit rankenjordan.org. To learn more about the Beyond Gala or to purchase tickets, go to rankenjordan.org/beyondgala.