[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATING ZARA MARSELIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Zara 
Marselian, founder of La Maestra Community Health Centers. Besides 
providing multicultural health care and social services to immigrants 
and refugees in inner city San Diego, La Maestra is unique in 
developing services, and programs in response to demonstrated needs 
presented by its patient base.
  Ms. Marselian is one of ten outstanding individuals from across the 
country selected this year to receive a Robert Wood Johnson Community 
Health Leadership award.
  The child of immigrant and refugee parents, Marselian saw an unmet 
need in her native San Diego for medical care for uninsured immigrants 
with little or no English speaking skills. Although she had no medical 
background, she started a clinic in her home in 1991, one evening a 
week with one physician.
  Since its modest beginning, La Maestra Community Health Centers has 
expanded to include adult and pediatric medical services, two dental 
clinics, a pharmacy, behavioral health services and health education. 
Marselian has also established a task force to increase access to 
health care for the uninsured, working poor.
  La Maestra's additional services range from job training, placement 
and referrals to childcare, insurance eligibility assistance, and 
housing and community development. Staff members, who come from diverse 
backgrounds and speak 19 languages, provide translation services and 
culturally sensitive care.
  One clinic patient called Marselian ``the mother of refugees and 
immigrants'' for her work in providing multicultural health care and 
social services to San Diego residents who have nowhere else to turn 
for help.
  I wish to congratulate Zara Marselian for her impressive 
accomplishments at La Maestra Community Health Centers and for her 
efforts in achieving a 2004 Robert Wood Johnson Community Health 
Leadership award.

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