[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 23, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2994-S2995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             SIEGLINDE KURZ

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, today I would like to commend Mrs. 
Sieglinde Kurz on her outstanding career as a public servant. Mrs. Kurz 
received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fontbonne College, in St. 
Louis, MO in 1961 and her Masters Degree in Health Care Management from 
Northwestern University, in Evanston, IL in 1976.
  I have worked with Mrs. Kurz on numerous occasions and I have always 
been impressed by her consummate professionalism. Her selfless attitude 
and intense work ethic have consistently led her to do great things 
within the field of veterans' health care.
  Mrs. Kurz began her career with the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
November 1965 as a research chemist in renal hypertension research at 
the St. Louis VA Medical Center.
  During her illustrious government career, Mrs. Kurz was the 
administrative assistant to the Associate Director in Hines, IL; 
Associate Director of the VA Medical Center in Tomah, WI; Associate 
Deputy Regional Director for the Northeastern Region in Albany, NY; 
Associate Director of the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL; Director of 
Construction Project Coordination and Budget at VA Headquarters in 
Washington, DC; and Director of the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL. 
She left the Marion VA Medical Center to accept the position of 
Director at the St. Louis VA Medical Center.
  Mrs. Kurz served as the Director of the St. Louis VA for 5 years and 
8 months, a term spanning from May 1998 thru January 2004. The St. 
Louis VA is one of the largest and most complex facilities in the 
nation and it has steadily improved under her guidance.
  Mrs. Kurz provided leadership for this dual division hospital by 
facilitating care for more than 36,000 veterans annually. The primary 
service area of metropolitan St. Louis includes 9 counties in Missouri 
and 14 counties in West Central Illinois. During her tenure in St. 
Louis she led a care team of 1900 full time employee equivalents.
  Mrs. Kurz's stellar career includes a number of achievements.
  As a leader in the field of health care management she served as a 
mentor for executive career field director trainees and VHA Health Care 
management trainees. She also achieved the status of diplomat in the 
American College of Healthcare Executives.
  Mrs. Kurz was listed as one of the top female directors in the 
Missouri Hospital Association Newsletter, Summer 2003 Edition, and in 
Who's Who Among Top Executives in 1998-1999. In 1999, during her tenure 
as Director of the St. Louis VA Medical Center, she was recognized with 
the Vice-Presidential ``Hammer and Scissors'' award for her efforts in 
piloting the first Department of Veterans Affairs Canteen Integration.
  During her time at the St. Louis VA, Mrs. Kurz worked tirelessly to 
improve veterans' access to care and she opened three new health 
clinics. She also supported her employees by providing educational 
opportunities for mid-level managers through programs such as mini-MBA. 
She promoted an open policy that allowed staff at all levels to 
communicate through employee and supervisory forums.
  After 37 years of government service, Mrs. Kurz retired on January 
31, 2004, having devoted countless hours to the welfare of American 
Veterans. On behalf of all veterans in the St. Louis area, I would like 
to thank her for her tireless efforts and wish her well in her 
retirement.

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