[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING MR. JOE DAMORE FOR HIS SERVICE TO SPARROW HOSPITAL IN 
                              LANSING, MI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 19, 2004

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Joe Damore for his outstanding leadership and commitment to improving 
healthcare as the President and CEO of Sparrow Hospital and Health 
Systems in Lansing, Michigan. Mr. Damore has led the Sparrow Health 
System to its success as one of the top healthcare providers in the 
greater Lansing area. Since his arrival in 1990, the Sparrow Health 
System has become mid-Michigan's first and only Level 1 Trauma Center, 
and increased its medical staff from 500 to 850 physicians. Under the 
direction of Mr. Damore, the Sparrow Health System has expanded its 
residency programs with Michigan State University, allowing young 
health professionals to gain the valuable experience needed for the 
future, while providing quality healthcare to mid-Michigan residents.
  The Sparrow Health System has a mission to provide quality, 
compassionate and affordable healthcare to the residents of mid-
Michigan. In the past fourteen years of dedicated service, Mr. Damore 
has guided the Sparrow Health System to exceed this mission with 
expanded facilities and increased inpatient admissions from 18,000 to 
29,000 per year. It is because of his exceptional leadership and 
success that we offer Mr. Damore a fond farewell as he has been offered 
a position as the President and CEO of Mission Health and Hospitals in 
Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Damore will certainly be an asset to the 
Asheville healthcare community.
  Mr. Speaker, during his tenure at the Sparrow Health System Mr. 
Damore has brought affordable and superior healthcare to the residents 
of mid-Michigan. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Joe 
Damore for his extraordinary commitment and dedication to provide top 
quality health services, and to wish him success in all of his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________