[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CARING, EXCELLENCE, & ACCOMPLISHMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, during our lives we may be privileged to 
meet people who make a difference, people who believe that it is far 
more important to accomplish something for the community than to 
accomplish something for themselves. We have been most fortunate to 
have been the beneficiaries of two extraordinary gentlemen, who just 
happen to be father and son--Hans Jeppesen, Sr., and Hans Jeppesen, Jr. 
Since 1954, these two men have been the heart and soul of Bay Health 
Systems, a leading and outstanding health care provider within my 
District. They are being honored on October 4 with the dedication of 
the Jeppesen Radiation Oncology Center at Bay Health Systems.
  Hans Christian Jeppesen became the leader of General Hospital in 
1954. He worked to make sure that General Hospital was the best source 
of health care until a merger with Mercy Hospital in 1972, creating Bay 
Medical Center. Having instilled a vital sense of confidence and 
capability in his employees, Hans Jeppesen established a standard of 
care and competence that was a model for others in the health care 
community. He passed away in 1973.
  His son, Hans Jeppesen, II, began his career in health care as an 
administrative resident in 1964 at Wellborn Baptist Memorial Hospital 
in Evansville, Indiana, and first came professionally to Bay City in 
1966. After terms as Assistant and Associate Administrator, he rose to 
Executive Vice President of Bay Medical Center in 1973, and to 
President in 1975. Since 1986, he as been President of Bay Health 
Systems, the parent company for Bay Medical Center, Bay Health Care, 
Bay Medical Services, Bay Medical Foundation, and Bay Special Care. He 
is credited with overseeing the merger of Bay Medical Center with 
Samaritan Hospital in 1979, and in 1988 with Bay Osteopathic Hospital, 
a very rare occurrence of the merger of four hospitals.
  The community has also benefited from his willingness to work with 
many organizations. In particular, his concern for young people and 
women has made him a leader in Junior Achievement, Big Brothers, YMCA 
Youth Programs, and the Bay County Women's Center. He has been an 
outstanding role model for his five children, Jeff, Mary, Hans, Karen, 
and Niels, and his two grandchildren, Madeline and Meredith.
  With two lifetimes of dedication, it is most fitting that the 
Radiation Oncology Center bear the name ``Jeppesen'', as a symbol of 
caring, excellence, and accomplishment. Mr. Speaker, I urge you and all 
of our colleagues to join me in celebration of the Jeppesen Radiation 
Oncology Center at the Bay Heatlh Systems West Campus.

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