[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1408-E1409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WILLIAM N. GUERTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2001

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of a community 
leader, Mr. William N. Guertin, who has served the interests of 
physicians and patients in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties since 
1971. Mr. Guertin served as Assistant Executive Director of the 
Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA) from 1971 to 1984 and 
in 1984 became Executive Director of the ACCMA. He continues to serve 
in that position. Today, I would like to express my sincere 
appreciation for his leadership in serving the public by promoting and 
improving the quality of medical care administered to patients 
throughout his tenure.
  Mr. Guertin is well-respected among medical association executives 
across the country, having been elected to serve on the Board of 
Directors of the American Association of Medical Society Executives 
(AAMSE) in 1994. He will be installed as President of AAMSE on July 27, 
2001, in Washington, D.C., due to his exemplary accomplishments in the 
field of medicine
  The Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA) is the second 
largest county medical association in California, currently with a 
membership of approximately 3100 medical doctors. Under Mr. Guertin's 
executive leadership, the ACCMA has promoted the quality of medical 
care and the well-being of patients in the East Bay community in 
numerous ways.
  Mr. Guertin has worked hard to protect physicians from impositions 
that interfere with their ability to practice medicine and to preserve 
their relationships with patients. This has directly benefited 
physicians by allowing them to maximize their abilities to provide 
quality care for their patients.
  Mr. Guertin has also been involved with exposing proposals that would 
exploit patients and physicians for profit. His goal has always been to 
uphold the quality of care for patients by exposing any measures that 
might hamper this goal in any way. He has extensively reviewed and 
analyzed health plan contracts while educating physicians on the perils 
of signing unfair agreements. Often these contracts will contain 
provisions that conflict the relationship between doctors and their 
patients by refusing doctors the right to provide medically necessary 
treatment to patients. As a result of Mr. Guertin's efforts, many 
physicians refuse to sign contracts that withhold their right to make 
treatment decisions for their patients.
  In his tenure at the ACCMA, Mr. Guertin has created programs and 
activities to promote public health, quality and access to care, and 
professional standards in the local medical community. This has allowed 
patients within the community to lead more robust and healthier lives.
  Mr. Guertin has continued to bring issues affecting quality of care 
to the attention of elected officials and the public to promote 
effective reforms.
  He has operated a community blood bank to maintain an adequate blood 
supply and needed blood services for patients in Alameda and Contra 
Costa Counties. This has proved to be highly advantageous and 
convenient in efficiently providing vital care to patients within the 
community.
  Mr. Guertin has also participated on statewide and national advisory 
committees to promote medical association activities on behalf of 
physicians and patients.
  He has dedicated his life to promoting quality care for patients. He 
has worked diligently to ensure that physicians are able to promote 
quality medical care. Mr. Guertin is a respected leader, activist, and 
humanitarian. He has brought about a wealth of positive change to our 
community.
  I thank Mr. Guertin for dedicating his time and insight for many 
years and for providing

[[Page E1409]]

such quality care to individuals. I also congratulate him on his 
election as the President of the American Association of Medical 
Society Executives. I am positive that he will continue his outstanding 
work in promoting the welfare of patients and improving the quality of 
our lives. Congratulations Mr. Guertin and I wish you the best in your 
quest to improve the lives of our community in the Bay Area and 
throughout the nation.

                          ____________________