[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 117 (Wednesday, September 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S9380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO CAROLYN C. ROBERTS

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Carolyn C. Roberts, an outstanding Vermonter and a national leader in 
the area of health care reform. As she prepares to retire from her 
position as President and Chief Executive Officer of Copley Health 
Systems in Morrisville, Vermont, it is important to reflect on how much 
one person can accomplish in serving others.
  Carolyn was the first Vermonter and the second woman to serve as the 
Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Hospital Association. 
While Carolyn worked to represent all hospitals in this country, she 
stressed the importance of ensuring residents of rural communities 
access to health services in their communities. Carolyn also fought 
hard to preserve the role of community hospitals by advocating for 
relationships with other health systems. In this, as in every other 
capacity, her mark has been felt far beyond the boundaries of Lamoille 
County, Vermont.
  Carolyn began her vocation as a nurse and quickly rose to leadership 
positions as a direct provider, clinical administrator, and executive. 
Since 1982, Carolyn has been at the helm of Copley, a rural, community-
wide, health delivery system in Morrisville, Vermont. Under her 
leadership, Copley Hospital received the 1987 Foster G. McGaw Prize for 
Excellence in Community Service in 1987.
  During Carolyn's career, she has frequently held leadership positions 
on national boards, including the Joint Commission on Accreditation of 
Healthcare Organizations, The Hospital Fund, the Commission on 
Professional and Hospital Activities, the Institute for Healthcare 
Improvement, the American Academy of Medical Administrators, and the 
American College of Healthcare Executives.
  I must also acknowledge Carolyn's willingness to advise me personally 
over the years on critical health care policy issues. As Chairman of 
the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, I have 
been gratified to know that I could always rely on Carolyn's expertise 
in such arenas as rural health care, integrated systems of care, and 
Medicare reform.
  Vermont has much to be grateful for, in view of Carolyn's steadfast 
commitment to improving the quality of life in our State. Whether 
serving on Governor Snelling's Blue Ribbon Health Care Commission or on 
Governor Dean's Task Force on Medicaid Managed Care, she always brought 
a sense of knowledge, dedication, and grace to solving the problem at 
hand. It is reassuring to know that her legacy will lead Copley Health 
Systems and the greater community of Vermont itself into the next 
millennium.
  Mr. President, Carolyn's unwavering commitment toward improving the 
health status of Vermont and its citizens serves as a testament to us 
all. Vermont is truly indebted to her. Her deep commitment to the 
citizens of the Green Mountain State has endeared her to us. She has 
our sincerest good wishes for the future.

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