[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. KENITA CARTER

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2007

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor 
Kenita Carter, M.D., who was awarded the 2006 Congressional Volunteer 
Recognition Award by the Second Congressional District of Maryland's 
Veterans Advisory Group.
  Dr. Carter is a compassionate and dedicated physician who provides 
patient care for over 1,000 veterans. She has been an innovator at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Loch Raven Campus Community Based 
Outpatient Center and has worked untiringly to improve the lives of 
Maryland's veterans.
  Dr. Carter developed a MOVE program at the Loch Raven Campus on the 
grounds of the Baltimore Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Facility. 
MOVE is a national initiative of the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
address the problem of diabetes and obesity among the veteran 
population. Dr. Carter established and chaired a planning committee 
that developed the program that included exercise, nutritional planning 
and healthy lifestyle challenges in a group setting. In the voluntary 
program, the first 14 participants lost 187 pounds collectively while 
they developed healthier lifestyles. Dr. Carter constantly works with 
veterans on ways to improve the weight loss program to encourage 
maximum participation.
  Even though the MOVE program is a national initiative, Dr. Carter was 
the first and only physician to embrace the project throughout the 
entire Department of Veterans Affairs' Maryland Health Care System. She 
made the program fun for veterans on a shoestring budget by taking 
walks with the veterans, playing shuffleboard with the veterans and 
providing lectures on healthy lifestyle habits to keep the veterans 
motivated throughout the program.
  Dr. Carter managed this program in addition to her regular patient 
caseload. Her passion and excitement to see patients succeed is matched 
only by her compassion for her patients. The veterans who complete this 
program receive a framed certificate as recognition of their efforts to 
improve their own lives.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Dr. Kenita 
Carter. She is a remarkable volunteer for Maryland's veterans. Through 
her onoing efforts, she has helped hundreds of veterans receive their 
medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. She has gone 
above and beyond the call of duty to aid those who have dedicated their 
lives to serve our great country.

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