[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 68 (Friday, May 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO COL. CELIA Y. BRAMBLE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2004

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Col. Celia Y. Bramble in 
recognition of her dedication to the work of Kings County Hospital in 
Brooklyn.
  Celia Y. Bramble is currently an Associate Executive Director for 
Training and Organizational Development at Kings County Hospital 
Center. She began her career at Kings County Hospital in 1967 after 
migrating from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She moved up the ranks 
from Staff Nurse and Head Nurse to administrative positions through 
academic achievement, clinical competence and dedication.
  In her current role, Celia has overall responsibility for planning, 
coordinating and developing educational programs for professional and 
support staff within the Central Brooklyn Family Health Network. This 
includes overseeing over 40 training initiatives managed by Community 
Health Partnership funds. One of her greatest rewards is to see support 
staff, who she has coached and mentored, become practical and 
registered nurses. One of her major achievements is the 100 percent 
success rate that she has had in preparing students to take the New 
York State Board for Nursing examination.
  Ms. Bramble is also responsible for coordinating clinical experience 
for students in 14 programs of nursing. She serves on the advisory 
board of 7 of these programs. In her role as board member, she provides 
guidance to faculty to include the need for curriculum changes to 
support current trends in nursing, so that new graduates can 
successfully make the transition from student to practitioner. Some of 
her recommendations resulted in programs of nursing adding Cultural 
Diversity, Pain Management and Introduction to Nursing Management to 
the curriculum.
  Ms. Bramble received her undergraduate degree from CW Post College, 
Long Island University; a Master of Arts in Teaching in Nursing and a 
Masters in Education from Columbia University. She also holds a 
Certification in Nursing Education and Staff Development from the 
American Nurses Credentialing Center. Among her professional awards are 
the New York State Nurses Association Nursing Education Award and the 
Health and Hospitals Corporation Multicultural Award for developing 
programs to promote tolerance for a culturally diverse workforce.
  Ms. Bramble's accomplishments extend far beyond her professional 
affiliations. In 1981, she was commissioned as a Captain in the United 
States Army Reserve. Over the years, her devotion to duty, clinical 
skills and leadership qualities elevated her to the rank of Colonel. 
Her distinguished military career included assignments in various 
military hospitals in peacetime and wartime. Her last assignment was 
Commander of the 344th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Hamilton, New 
York, until she retired as a Colonel in April 2003. Her military honors 
include: The Legion of Merit award, the Army Commendation Medal with 
Four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with Two Oak Leaf 
Clusters, numerous Certificates of Achievement and Letters of 
Commendation.
  Mr. Speaker, Col. Celia Bramble has dedicated her life to providing 
quality healthcare to both civilians and military personnel. As such, 
she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge 
my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

                          ____________________