[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE HEART CENTER AT PARMA COMMUNITY GENERAL HOSPITAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the opening of 
the Heart Center at Parma Community General Hospital and the hospital's 
continued dedication to meeting the healthcare needs of the community.
  Parma Community General Hospital, a not-for-profit, community-based 
hospital dedicated to bringing high quality health care services in a 
familiar, cost-effective setting, received numerous awards in 1998. 
According to a study by a national organization, Parma Hospital was 
rated first in quality of care in orthopedics of the 31 hospitals in 
its six-county region. In addition, Parma Hospital ranked in the top 
five in overall performance based on all services offered.
  The nursing staff, a critical element in Parma Hospital's excellence, 
also received accolades for their commitment to quality. Mary Ann 
Hassing, R.N., in the Small Wonders Maternity Unit, was named Health 
Care Worker of the Year by the Ohio Association for Hospitals and 
Health Systems. In addition, Karen Krauth, R.N., certified Diabetes 
Educator and Renee Knapp, R.N. who works in the Emergency Department, 
were chosen by the Plain Dealer readers as the Best of the Best.
  Last year, Parma also became the first hospital in the area to sign 
the pledge created by the National Healthcare Workers Safety Program 
and convert to needle safety blood drawing products and IV 
angiocatheters. Parma also provided care for a record number of 
patients in the Emergency Room in 1998.
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring the accomplishments 
of Parma Community General Hospital and the Sunday, March 28, 1999 
opening of the Heart Center at Parma Community General Hospital.

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