[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 112 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1592-E1593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 HONORING HOSPICE OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 1997

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it gives my colleagues, Mr. Wolf 
and Mr. Moran, and me great pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to 
Hospice of Northern Virginia. Nineteen ninety-seven marks the 20th 
anniversary of this

[[Page E1593]]

compassionate organization, which has provided exceptional care for 
terminally ill patients and their families.
  Inspired by the work of Dr. Cecily Saunders, founder of the first 
modern-day hospice program in London, a group of local residents 
established the Hospice of Northern Virginia after recognizing the need 
for appropriate care for the terminally ill. Among the Northern 
Virginia founders are Dr. Josefina Magno, a physician practicing 
oncology at Georgetown University Hospital; Dorothy N. Garrett, a local 
nonprofit organization administrator; and Pat Pastore, R.N., a local 
nurse. The nonprofit hospice they founded immediately drew widespread 
community support and attention; in 1980, the Hospice was one of 26 
hospices across the country that became part of a 3-year Medicare and 
Medicaid demonstration. This demonstration induced the enaction of the 
new Hospice Medicare Benefit in 1984.
  Hospice of Northern Virginia distinguishes itself as an extraordinary 
achievement because of its compassion and cost-effectiveness. A year 
after the Hospice's incorporation, its leaders decided to pursue the 
use of a surplus public school building in Arlington for conversion 
into a treatment and care facility. The Arlington County Board 
generously agreed to a 50-year lease and contributed public funds to 
start the renovation of the Woodlawn Elementary School. The renovation 
was instigated in June 1978, when Hospice of Northern Virginia received 
a Certificate of Need for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The 
resourcefulness of the founding members paved the way for the largest 
hospice program in the Commonwealth of Virginia and Washington 
metropolitan areas. The founders' ingenuity and courage is commendable 
and directly correlates to their continued success.
  Hospice care is delivered by an interdisciplinary team consisting of 
a physician, registered nurse, social worker, chaplain, dietitian, 
certified nursing assistants, and trained volunteers. As Hospice 
president and CEO David English pointed out, this team of professionals 
focuses on eliminating the physical pain and symptoms associated with 
terminal illness while providing necessary psychological, spiritual, 
and emotional support that enables patients and families to concentrate 
on the quality of remaining life. Ninety percent of the care provided 
is in the home setting, saving patients thousands of dollars, though 
hospice care can also be delivered in nursing homes, contracted 
hospitals, and the Hospice Center's acute care unit. Hospice of 
Northern Virginia nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  The Hospice's contributions to the local community are prominent. 
Over the past two decades, the organization has served more than 17,000 
patients and families through its Greater Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, 
and Prince William regional offices and the Hospice Center. Hospice of 
Northern Virginia prides itself in the fact that it accepts patients 
who seek care, regardless of their financial situations. In 1996, it 
provided over $2 million in care beyond reimbursed costs.
  Mr. Speaker, we know our colleagues will join us in saluting Hospice 
of Northern Virginia as it celebrates 20 years of outstanding medical 
care to the community.

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