[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF DR. MURIEL PETIONI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, November 20, 2004

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of an 
extraordinary member of my community, Dr. Muriel Petioni. Dr. Petioni 
has contributed to the health and welfare of the citizens of Harlem as 
a medical practitioner and public servant for more than 64 years.
  Born in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago. She immigrated 
to the United States at the age of 5 and was raised in Harlem. After 
receiving her medical degree from Howard University, Dr. Petioni began 
her medical career at Harlem Hospital Center in 1937 as an intern. 
After marrying and starting a family, she returned to Harlem in 1950 
where she established a family medicine practice in her father's 
office.
  In addition to her private practice, Dr. Petioni served in many 
positions that drew on her medical expertise. From 1950-1980 she served 
as School Physician in Central Harlem for the New York City Department 
of Health, as well as a physician at the Medical Clinic at Harlem 
Hospital Center. She also served as Supervising Physician for Central 
and East Harlem from 1980-1984. In 1982, she was appointed Assistant 
Clinical Attending Physician at Harlem's Hospital Center's Department 
of Pediatrics. In addition, she served as the first medical director of 
the Harlem Drug Fighters, a short-term community-operated 
detoxification unit based at Harlem Hospital in the late 1960's.
  Dr. Petioni has involved herself in many civic organizations. In 1974 
she founded the Susan Smith McKinney Steward Medical Society for Black 
Women. Under her leadership, the SSMS, composed of women in the Greater 
New York area, concentrated its activities on networking, promoting the 
medical achievements of women, and outreach to young women interested 
in medical careers. In 1976, she founded and became the first 
Chairperson of the Medical Women of the National Medical Association. 
The organization would eventually evolve to become the Council of Women 
Concerns of the National Medical Association.
  For her works Dr. Petioni has been the recipient of awards and honors 
too numerous to mention. Among them, The National Sojourner Truth 
Meritorious Service Award from the Riverside Club of the National 
Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc., The 
Distinguished Service Award from the New York College of Podiatric 
Medicine, and the Health Service Award of the Harlem Service Center of 
the American Red Cross.
  After more than a half century serving the people of Harlem, Dr. 
Petioni shows no sign of slowing. She remains active in the Harlem 
community and presently serves on the board of numerous organizations 
including, The Harlem Health Promotion Center, The Greater Harlem 
Nursing Home, and The Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement. 
Dr. Petzioni also serves as Chair of The Friends of Harlem Hospital 
Center, an organization she founded in 1987. Its mission is to engage 
in and support activities that promote the work of the hospital.
  As can be seen, the contribution that Dr. Petioni has made to her 
community has been immeasurable. When she arrived in Harlem as a young 
girl, I wonder if she had any inclination of the impact her life would 
have on the people of this community. My duty on this day is to let her 
know and all those who may read this Record, that the works and deeds 
of Dr. Muriel Petioni are evident in Harlem today, and it shall remain 
so for generations to come.

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