[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5096-S5097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MOUNT CARMEL MEDICAL CENTER IN PITTSBURG, KANSAS

 Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate National 
Hospital Week. During this week when we pay tribute to our nation's 
hospitals and health systems. I would like to recognize one particular 
facility in Kansas that has gone above and beyond the call of duty in 
order to meet the needs of the community--the Mount Carmel Medical 
Center in Pittsburg, Kansas.
  Mount Carmel Medical Center is located in the southeast corner of 
Kansas. The community has 20,000 residents. About 25 percent of the 
town's children are from families who live at or below the federal 
poverty level. More than half of the families in Pittsburg are headed 
by single parents who often work two jobs.
  As one of the largest employers in the community, Mount Carmel 
Medical Center recognized that the entire community was suffering from 
the lack of quality child care. Teachers noticed that children were 
unready to learn, they needed immunizations and hearing tests. After a 
confirmation by the hospital's employee assistance program and a staff-
initiated community health assessment, Mount Carmel decided to take 
action. They formed a partnership with the Pittsburg schools and 
Pittsburg State University to establish the Family Resource Center to 
meet many of the community's needs. The Family Resource Center now 
provides child care to more than 200 children and offers a wide range 
of social services. It also serves as the site of a free clinic staffed 
with local physicians for those without health insurance coverage.
  The Mount Carmel Medical Center has been nationally recognized for 
its achievements. The American Hospital

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Association recently awarded the Mount Carmel Medical Center the 1999 
NOVA award. NOVA awards recognize innovative community partnerships 
that address communities' needs.
  The collaborative outreach efforts of Mount Carmel Medical Center 
demonstrates true dedication to the community. I am pleased and proud 
to recognize Mount Carmel Medical Center for its leadership, vision, 
and achievements. Mount Carmel is an excellent example of a hospital 
that has made a difference.

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