[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E9334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK--1999

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                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 1999

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Hospital 
Week during the week of May 9-15. This year's theme, ``People Care. 
Miracles Happen,'' recognizes the health care workers, volunteers and 
other health professionals who are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a 
year, curing and caring for their neighbors who need them.
  An example of this dedication is the Universal Infant Hearing 
Screening program of Spectrum Health's Downtown Campus in my hometown 
of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The program won the American Hospital 
Association's prestigious Hospital Award for Volunteer Excellence, 
which highlights special contributions of hospital volunteers.
  The Universal Infant Hearing Screen program identifies potential 
hearing loss in all babies at or transferred to Spectrum Health's 
Downtown Campus. Early identification and intervention can prevent a 
hearing problem from being a handicap.
  Volunteers undergo extensive training to prepare for this program. 
After volunteers administer the screening, audiologists review the test 
results to identify infants with potential problems. Those with 
abnormal results are referred for re-screening or diagnostic testing. 
Without the work of volunteers, it would be impossible to provide this 
vital service to the thousands of babies at Spectrum Health every year.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
staff at Spectrum Health for their dedication and their award-winning 
program.

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