[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1758]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF FRENCH HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER

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                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 19, 2006

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to French 
Hospital Medical Center and acknowledge their 60 years of providing 
quality healthcare to our community.
  Founded by Edison French in 1946, this French Hospital Medical Center 
brought state of the art medicine to the San Luis Obispo community and 
continues to do so today. Dr. French, a surgeon, actively encouraged 
other specialists to settle in the San Luis Obispo area. In 1972, Dr. 
French moved the hospital to its current location on Johnson Avenue, 
where it serves residents throughout San Luis Obispo County. Currently, 
the hospital has working relationships with 320 physicians and employs 
more than 480 people.
  On June 1, 2004, French Hospital was acquired by Catholic Healthcare 
West (CHW), and joined a network of over 40 medical centers and 
hospitals in three states. Founded in 1986, CHW is one of our Nation's 
largest not-for-profit healthcare systems and the largest Catholic 
healthcare system based in the Western United States. In 2005, French 
Hospital Medical Center provided more than $5 million in care to the 
uninsured in our community and to other philanthropic endeavors. The 
hospital is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate and 
affordable healthcare services, with special attention to the poor and 
underserved.
  French Hospital Medical Center has set, and continues to set, a 
positive example with their passion for the practice of great medicine 
and their commitment to our local community. I am pleased, Mr. Speaker, 
to represent this community and the many caring staff and 
administrators of French Hospital Medical Center and am pleased to 
celebrate their 60-year anniversary.

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