[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRUST IS HIGHEST IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

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                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 1999

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, one of the most frightening times of our 
lives is when we ourselves or one of our loved ones face a medical 
emergency. In this emergency situation, trust is the highest for 
medical professionals who are providing instant care to treat an injury 
or to save a life. In my own state, we are blessed in having the 
Michigan College of Emergency Physicians that helps to educate the 
physician staff of emergency departments at hospitals around Michigan.
  The Michigan College of Emergency Physicians, chartered in 1969, was 
one of the first chapters of the American College of Emergency 
Physicians. It was only natural that Michigan be one of the first 
chapters since the American College was founded in 1968 by Dr. John G. 
Wiegenstein, a Lansing physician who saw the need to develop the 
specialty of Emergency Medicine. Starting with 208 members in 1969 
under the leadership of Dr. Gauis Clark as President, the organization 
has grown to nearly 1,100 members today under President Dr. Gregory 
Walker, and President-Elect Dr. Robert Malinowski.
  The Michigan College of Emergency Physicians has sponsored 
educational programs to help improve the initial care of acutely ill 
patients. The 26th Michigan Emergency Assembly on Mackinac Island this 
weekend will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the College. Efforts 
like this annual assembly and the advanced pediatric life support 
course, the emergency resident assembly, and the advanced cardiac life 
support instructor course have helped to make Michigan a nationally 
recognized academic hub in emergency medicine.
  Emergency medical services is a priority for the Michigan College, 
with its representation on numerous state boards and the EMS Expo--the 
largest education program for pre-hospital personnel in the state. The 
College is also proud of its legislative accomplishments in its 
development of the Michigan Emergency Medical Services law, providing 
the ability to deliver emergency medical services to the citizens of 
Michigan, its definition of ``prudent layperson'', the enforcement of 
safety belt requirements, and safety helmet legislation.
  I recently had the opportunity to monitor emergency room operations 
at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw to see first-hand the demands of 
split-second decisions in life or death situations. I want to thank Dr. 
Mary Jo Wagner, Dr. Brian Hancock, and Dr. George Moylan for their 
courtesies and professional insights. I encourage each of our 
colleagues to visit an emergency room to truly understand the needs of 
emergency medicine.
  Mr. Speaker, we rarely think of the need for emergency medical care. 
We and so many others just assume that it is going to be there. On a 
day like today, we should stop and thank the Michigan College of 
Emergency Physicians, and their colleagues around the nation, for 
working to perfect what we take for granted. I ask you and all of our 
colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to join me in wishing the Michigan College of 
Emergency Physicians a very happy 30th anniversary, and for every 
success to President-elect Dr. Malinowski and Executive Director Diane 
Kay Bollman with their efforts to make sure, once again, that when we 
or a loved one face a medical emergency, a trained professional will be 
there to respond to our needs.

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