Congressional Record, Volume 149 Issue 83 (Monday, June 9, 2003)

[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 83 (Monday, June 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7535-S7536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[Congressional Record: June 9, 2003 (Senate)]
[Page S7535-S7536]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr09jn03-115]

IN HONOR OF DR. JUDITH A. RYAN

Mr. DASCHLE. Madam President, on July 2, 2003, after many years of
service, Dr. Judith A. Ryan of Sioux Falls, SD, will retire from her
position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Evangelical
Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. Today I want to congratulate Dr. Ryan
on her upcoming retirement and thank her for her many years of service.
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society began partnering with
church leaders in small, rural communities in the early 1920s,
responding to the call to care for vulnerable populations--those who
had no other options for care and no one to care for them. Today, the
Good Samaritan Society, headquartered in Sioux Falls, owns or manages
facilities in 25 States, employs 24,000 staff members, and serves more
than 28,000 residents.
I thank Dr. Ryan for her sterling management of this wonderful
organization. Her long career as a health executive is distinguished by
her commitment to excellence and her untiring efforts on behalf of
America's senior population. South Dakota has been fortunate to have
such an advocate and leader.
Dr. Ryan's career is impressive. Prior to assuming her position as
CEO of the Nation's largest not-for-profit long-term care and
retirement system, she served as Chief Executive Officer of the
American Nurses Association; Senior Vice President of Lutheran General
Health System in Park Ridge, IL; Associate Director of the University
of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics; and Associate Dean for the University of
Iowa College of Nursing.
Recognized for her work in the field of long-term health care, Dr.
Ryan earned international recognition and was invited by the Danish
Nurses Association to learn about emerging models of care in rural
communities. Upon her return, she shared her insights at the National
Rural Health Association's Annual Conference. Her presentation at that
conference was entitled, ``A Call for Renaissance: The Small Town

[[Page S7536]]

as Continuous Care Retirement Community.''
Dr. Ryan has served on numerous public policy and professional boards
and recently participated as a member of the Health and Human Services
Advisory Committee on Regulatory Reform. The committee made
recommendations to the Secretary regarding potential regulatory changes
that would reduce costs associated with departmental regulations and at
the same time, maintain or enhance effectiveness, efficiency, impact,
and accessibility.
Dr. Ryan's past achievements and continuing interests provide
evidence of her commitment to excellence and her advocacy on issues
facing the elderly and their caregivers. I join her many friends and
professional colleagues in extending thanks for her previous work and
best wishes for her next endeavor.

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