[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN TRIBUTE TO MARILYN HUGHES GASTON, MD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2001

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, after a twenty-five year career in the 
U.S. Public Health Service, Marilyn Hughes Gaston, MD, Director of the 
Bureau of Primary Health Care, within the Health Resources and Services 
Administration, is resigning and making her transition into the private 
sector.
  Dr. Gaston began her career as a physician. She received her medical 
degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and 
completed a residency training in pediatrics. Her work over the years 
has been marked by staunch advocacy for the betterment of the health 
status of minorities, women and children. Dr. Gaston is an 
internationally recognized leader in sickle cell research and her 
contributions to the field have resulted in significant changes in the 
way the disease is treated and managed in children.
  She is the first African American woman to direct a U.S. Public 
Health Service Bureau and she commands a primary health care budget 
that reaches $5 billion. Under her leadership millions of vulnerable 
and disadvantaged populations nationwide are assured access to quality, 
culturally and linguistically competent, primary and preventive health 
care. Along with her numerous other accolades, she is a former 
Assistant Surgeon General and the second African American woman to 
reach Rear Admiral, the highest rank in the U.S. Public Health Service.
  Recently, Dr. Gaston co-authored ``Prime Time,'' a health and 
wellness book for African American women in the midyears. She is a 
phenomenal leader and mentor. Her work has touched the lives of many 
and her presence in the Public Health Service will be genuinely missed!

                          ____________________