[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 64 (Thursday, May 10, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL HOSPITAL'S NATIONAL MAGNET AWARD

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                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2001

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor St. Luke's Episcopal 
Hospital for earning a Magnet Award, the highest honor a hospital can 
receive for patient care. St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital is the first 
hospital in Houston and one of only 31 hospitals nationwide to win this 
coveted distinction. This Magnet Award is presented by the American 
Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for the patient care provided by the 
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital's nursing staff. As the representative 
for St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, I want to congratulate the entire 
nursing staff for the quality health care services that they provide 
not just to local residents, but also to patients from throughout the 
world.
  On Monday, May 7, 2001, I participated in the Magnet Award Ceremony 
at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital to honor these dedicated nurses who 
provide top quality care. I can personally attest to the care provided 
at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital through my family's experience. 
Several years ago, my uncle former Senator Lloyd Bentsen was treated at 
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital where he received the best available care 
to treat his illness. Also participating at this Awards Ceremony to 
honor the nursing staff of St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital were two 
prestigious patients, former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier and Nolan Ryan. 
In addition, the Ceremony included former Houston City Councilman 
Judson Robinson's wife, Mrs. Margarette Robinson. Mrs. Robinson was the 
first African American nurse to work in the surgical facilities at St. 
Luke's Episcopal Hospital.
  In a time when many hospitals are facing difficulties in recruiting 
and retaining their nursing staff, this Magnet Award demonstrates that 
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital is providing a nurturing work environment 
where all employees work collaboratively toward the common goal of 
providing quality health care services to their patients. A recent Wall 
Street Journal article recommended to its readers that they should seek 
care at a magnet hospital in their area.
  The Magnet Award program began in 1993 as a means to recognize 
centers of excellence in nursing care. This program reviews the 
management philosophy and practices of nursing staff; adherence to 
standards for improving the quality of patient care; leadership in 
supporting continued competence of nursing personnel; and attention to 
the cultural and ethnic diversity of patients and their significant 
others.
  Clearly, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital has worked hard to provide the 
resources and personnel needed to accomplish this goal. The nursing 
staff is the backbone of any hospital and the nurses at St. Luke's 
Episcopal Hospital have earned a distinction worthy of special praise.

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