[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 16 (Monday, February 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING HOLMES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AS RECIPIENT OF 1997 NOVA 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVE WELDON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 10, 1997

  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Holmes 
Regional Medical Center which recently received the American Hospital 
Association's prestigious NOVA award on January 27, 1997. Holmes 
Regional Medical Center is very deserving of this great honor for its 
strong commitment to providing quality health care to needy residents 
in Brevard County, FL. Through its HOPE program, Holmes serves the 
needy in our community whose medical needs might otherwise go 
untreated. HOPE serves as a model program for hospitals across the 
United States.
  Holmes is one of only five recipients across the United States and 
the only recipient from the State of Florida that received this year's 
NOVA award. Those who have dedicated themselves to ensuring HOPE's 
success deserve this honor for their commitment to increasing community 
health, expanding services, managing limited resources, and building 
community trust among the residents of Brevard County, FL.
  HOPE's medical expertise and compassionate care are commendable. 
Their concern for and commitment to the welfare of the most needy in 
our community is apparent in their focus on health, outreach, 
prevention, and education. This is especially evident in HOPE's 
practice of providing free medical treatment to those without health 
insurance, Medicare, or other health care coverage. In addition to 
serving more than 5,000 adults a year, HOPE meets the needs of over 500 
children on a daily basis. This is highly commendable and should be an 
example to all.
  As a physician who has treated some of these same patient needs in 
our community, I know HOPE's unique approach in bringing various 
community agencies together to establish a multi-agency program for 
children with disabilities has had a powerful impact on our community. 
The program teaches and encourages intervention, and provides support 
to parents with children with disabilities by providing them with 
expert knowledge and services from community specialists. This is just 
one example of how HOPE is serving our community.
  HOPE's commitment to serving and providing quality, low-cost, 
compassionate care to the needy is inspiring. We, in Brevard County, 
are grateful for the way in which Holmes Regional Medical Center's HOPE 
program has served the people of our county. HOPE has brought true hope 
to many of our friends and neighbors.

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