[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 127 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING PROVIDENCE HOOD RIVER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL'S 75 YEARS OF 
                                SERVICE

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                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring the honor 
associated with the United States House of Representatives to 
Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. On August 4, 2007, the 
hospital, located at 13th and May Streets in my hometown of Hood River, 
Oregon, will officially celebrate 75 years of service. I was fortunate 
enough to serve on the hospital's Board of Directors for five years and 
that experience provided me the opportunity to see firsthand the 
dedication and commitment of the staff and administration to the health 
of the entire community.
  At the turn of the 20th century, 622 people inhabited Hood River. The 
advent of the railroad transformed this once isolated community into a 
hub for some of the nation's finest timber and fruit producers. Within 
five years, the population tripled. Today, 20,500 people call Hood 
River County home and timber and fruit produces remain a significant 
element of the region's fabric but so do windsurfers, skiers and 
hikers.
  In 1905, local physicians came together to open Cottage Hospital at 
716 Oak Street. Hood River's first hospital served the community for 19 
years, before it was declared structurally unsafe and closed by the 
fire marshal in 1924.
  Although a disappointing loss to the community, the closure of 
Cottage Hospital set into motion a tremendous local commitment to 
health care that carries on today. The Hood River Hospital Association 
organized for the purpose of building a new community hospital to 
replace Cottage Hospital. Successful fundraising efforts netted enough 
money to begin construction on a new hospital in 1931. Hood River 
Hospital admitted 501 patients during its first year of operation in 
1932.
  In the late 1940s, Hood River Hospital's surgery department owned all 
the latest equipment: an operating table, a spotlight, basins, forceps, 
knives, probes, clips and clamps. However, the medical field did not 
yet know the convenience of disposable items. Following surgery, rubber 
gloves were washed, dried and powdered to sterilize them. Surgery 
needles were sharpened, sterilized and reused.
  As the population of Hood River grew after World War II, the patient 
population soon outpaced hospital capacity. The residents of Hood River 
swung into action again and with generous donations from community 
members the hospital was enlarged in 1958. In response to the abundant 
donations that were made in memory of those whose lives were touched by 
the hospital, the name of the facility was officially changed to Hood 
River Memorial Hospital.
  A cycle was becoming clear; every two to three decades the hospital 
outgrew its space and an expansion was necessary to keep pace with the 
needs of patients and technological advancements. It happened in the 
late 1950s and again in the 1980s when community donations allowed for 
the construction of new patient care wings. In the 1990s the hospital 
footprint was expanded, allowing for the addition of a new family 
birthing center and the Ray T. Yasui Dialysis Center, the first 
dialysis center in the Columbia Gorge. All of these efforts were made 
possible by unwavering donations of time, talent and treasure from the 
Hood River community.
  As Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital celebrates 75 years in a 
structure that no longer physically resembles the original hospital 
that opened its doors in 1932, another much-needed expansion and 
renovation project begins. This new phase of development will feature a 
new entrance and lobby. it also will allow the diagnostic imaging 
department to operate from one location. The short stay surgery 
department will be transformed to include 18 private rooms. The family 
birthing center will add a dedicated cesarean section operating room 
and other features to comfort laboring mothers.
  Construction is set to begin in the fall and should be completed in 
about a year. At that time, the current building will be renovated and 
modernized to include a 10 bed rehabilitation center which will allow 
patients who have experienced a stroke or heart attack to recover and 
rehabilitate close to home.
  Milestones such as anniversaries cause us to pause and reflect on 
history, achievements and the individuals that contributed to the 
successes that have brought us to where we are today. Madam Speaker, 
indeed it is important for us to celebrate milestones. However, it is 
my hope that we will all strive to acknowledge the extraordinary care 
and compassion that is provided each and every day by those who staff 
and support community hospitals throughout the year, not just during 
milestone celebrations.
  My colleagues, please join me in congratulating Providence Hood River 
Memorial Hospital for their exemplary service over the past 75 years 
and in wishing them very well as they break ground on the next 75 
years.

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