[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        HONORING B. LYN BEHRENS

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring Dr. Lyn Behrens as she retires as president and CEO of 
Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, drawing to a 
close a successful career in medicine and civic leadership.
  After completing her degree in medicine from the Sydney University 
School of Medicine in Australia in 1964, Dr. Behrens became the first 
and only pediatric resident at Loma Linda University Medical Center in 
1966. By 1986, Dr. Behrens was the first female Dean of the School of 
Medicine, and by 1990 she had become the first female President of Loma 
Linda University. Five years later she assumed the position of CEO of 
Adventist Health System, which soon became the Loma Linda University 
Adventist Health Science Center. In 1999, Dr. Behrens was chosen to 
serve as President of Loma Linda University Medical Center. Loma Linda 
University and Medical Center has prospered under her leadership, and 
has become a preeminent institution for patient care and medical 
technology. I have had the pleasure of visiting Loma Linda University 
and have found Dr. Behrens to be an exemplary model to her colleagues, 
capable of bringing out the best in her associates.
  During Behrens' tenure, Loma Linda University witnessed the 
development of a dedicated children's hospital with the most advanced 
equipment and methodology. The university has also witnessed the 
development of a center for behavioral medicine, as well as a 
rehabilitation, orthopaedic and neurosciences institute. The university 
has also added new schools of pharmacy and science and technology, and 
has worked diligently to foster its interaction with local research 
institutes to develop innovation in the use of global information 
systems to assist with emergency medical response. The first hospital-
based center for proton therapy and research has also been developed 
under Behrens' tenure, and has become a leading institution in the 
treatment of cancer. The university has taken great strides to improve 
care and support for our Nation's veterans at the Jerry L. Pettis 
Memorial VA Medical Center.
  Dr. Behrens has also been a dynamic leader in her community, working 
to ensure positive community service to her area and throughout the 
world. She has been instrumental in bringing to fruition a great number 
of social and community services organizations and programs. Programs 
such as the Social Action Community Health Services Clinic, 
PossAbilities, Community Kids Connection and Operation Jessica, have 
brought medical and social support to a broad group of individuals. 
These organizations have assisted special needs and at-risk children 
and teens, and developed after-school programs and ESL--English Second 
Language--programs. Dr. Behrens' leadership has also provided for 
increased medical and community support internationally, providing 
support in 12 nations, including the only teaching hospital in Kabul, 
Afghanistan, and the most advanced hospital in mainland China.
  As she retires from more than four decades of service and leadership 
in medicine to the communities of California and beyond, I am pleased 
to ask my colleagues to recognize her for a career of visionary 
leadership. The future of medical education, research, and service will 
be forever changed thanks to her bold leadership.




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