[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 154 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            FINALIST FOR THE 2005 NURSING EXCELLENCE AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2005

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Charles Reed, RN, 
BSN, CNRN, Patient Care Coordinator for the University Health System in 
San Antonio. Every year, thousands of nurses across the country are 
nominated for the 2005 Nursing Excellence Awards. The RNs are nominated 
by their colleagues, peers, and managers and selected by a panel of 
nurse leaders. The Nursing Excellence Awards exemplify the best that 
professional nursing has to offer. They bring initiative, ingenuity, 
and inspiration to their workplaces and communities, setting the 
standards for accomplishment in communities, setting the standards for 
accomplishment in nursing. In addition, the Nursing Excellence Awards 
recognize extraordinary nurses who represent the countless other 
dedicated nurses who play a crucial role in the nation's health care 
system. Mr. Reed's outstanding performance earned him a finalist 
position in this year's competition.
  Mr. Reed rose through the ranks from student nurse to patient care 
coordinator in the health system and now has duties ranging from 
meeting staffing needs and coaching, counseling, and mentoring nurses 
to managing patient care. He ensures clinical practice is kept to the 
highest standard, frequently by working one-one with nurses, and he 
often meets with families of ICU patients, once staying over an 
additional 4 hours to be sure a family's concerns were addressed.
  I commend Mr. Reed for all the hard work and dedication he gives to 
his patients at University Health System and I wish him the best of 
luck next year.

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