[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATIONS TO WEST PENN ALLEGHENY HEALTH SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MELISSA A. HART

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2005

  Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate the West Penn Allegheny Heath System on the Grand Opening 
of a Joslin Diabetes Clinic at the Citizens Ambulatory Care Center in 
New Kensington, Pennsylvania.
  The Joslin Center for Diabetes and the Joslin Clinic are 
international leaders in diabetes management, research and education. 
The Joslin Diabetes Clinic, as part of the West Penn Allegheny Health 
System, will provide a variety of services includng diagnostic imaging, 
laboratory services, chemotherapy, outpatient surgery and an Urgent 
Care Center. It is estimated that over 18 million people living in 
America today have diabetes, 13 million of whom have been diagnosed. 
That leaves over 5 million Americans unaware of the fact that they have 
the debilitating disease. The Alle-Kiski Medical Center's primary 
service area includes 200,000 residents and it is estimated that 16,000 
people are suffering from diabetes, while 6,000 are still undiagnosed.
  The West Penn Allegheny Health System and the Joslin Diabetes Center 
will employ medical directors and physicians that are board certified 
in internal medicine and endocrinology. The Clinic will also consist of 
diet, exercise and mental health professionals and will oversee 
aggressive patient education and public awareness initiatives aimed at 
detection and treatment of Diabetes.
  I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to 
join me in honoring the West Penn Allegheny Health System on bringing a 
world leader in diabetes detection, research and management to the 
Alle- Kiski Area. It is an honor to represent the Fourth Congressional 
District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute the achievements of 
fine institutions that truly improve the lives of the citizens that 
benefit from their services.

                          ____________________