[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 60 (Friday, May 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S4400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE SCHIFFER CANCER CENTER OF WHEELING HOSPITAL

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 
recent accomplishment of one of West Virginia's finest health care 
facilities, the Schiffer Cancer Center at Wheeling Hospital. Wheeling 
Hospital just became one of only two community hospitals in the country 
and the ninth facility in the world to become a part of the Partnership 
in Science with the Division of Clinical Sciences of the National 
Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD. This is an incredible and important 
accomplishment for this facility and the citizens of West Virginia.
  Wheeling Hospital, which is located in Wheeling, WV, is an acute care 
community hospital, which just celebrated its 150th anniversary last 
year. Located right in the heart of the northern pan-handle in Ohio 
County, the hospital serves Ohio County, parts of Brook and Marshall 
Counties, and eastern Ohio State residents bordering the Ohio River in 
addition to residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and across the State 
of West Virginia.
  I had the pleasure of visiting Wheeling Hospital in 1993 for the 
dedication of their Howard Long Wellness Center. The facility employs 
approximately 2,000 people and maintains five centers of excellence 
including: cancer; cardiac, including open heart surgery; women's 
health; trauma; and the Howard Long Wellness Center, which is 55,000 
sq. feet. The recent partnership between Wheeling Hospital and the 
National Center Institute is one of the greatest achievements in cancer 
care that has happened in the Ohio Valley. With this partnership, 
qualified cancer patients in the area will be able to participate in a 
select number of new cancer research protocols without leaving home. 
They will also be empowered to consult with and obtain second, third, 
even fourth opinions about their condition and treatment. Additionally, 
the partnership increases education opportunities for physicians, 
nurses, and other health care professionals in the area. Residents of 
West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and southwestern Pennsylvania will all 
benefit from this partnership.
  I am so thankful to Wheeling Hospital, its CEO, Don Hofreuter, its 
doctors and nurses, and all of its employees for all of the amazing 
work that they continue to do to serve their community. The people of 
Ohio County, West Virginia, and the surrounding area are indeed 
fortunate to have you as part of our community. Congratulations on your 
150th anniversary. 

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