[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING DAVID S. GALLATIN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF EXCELA HEALTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2009

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to David S. 
Gallatin, Chief Executive Officer of Excela Health. I would like at 
this time to draw attention to some of his accomplishments and 
contributions to our health system and the community of Westmoreland 
County, Pennsylvania.
  David S. Gallatin has long been associated with Excela Health and its 
predecessors, Westmoreland Health System and Westmoreland Hospital. He 
served, in a voluntary capacity, on the Board of Trustees from 1982 
through 2004. During his time on the Board, he was a member of the 
Executive Committee (1985 to 2004); served as a member of the Finance 
Committee (1990 to 2004); filled the role of Vice Chairman (1994 to 
1999), was named Chairman from 1999 to 2004.
  In January 2003, the Westmoreland Health System Board of Trustees 
voted unanimously to name David S. Gallatin as its Chief Executive 
Officer, after having served as Interim Chief Executive Officer, while 
continuing his role as Board of Trustees Chairman until his term 
expired June 30, 2004.
  David S. Gallatin, cited for his leadership skills and vision, helped 
devise and implement a turnaround plan for the health system, one that 
resulted in meaningful growth, capital strength, physician recruitment, 
and retention of a professional work force. He championed the 
acquisition of the latest clinical technologies, thereby advancing the 
quality of care for the residents of Westmoreland County and beyond. 
Further, he, among others, spearheaded the successful merger of 
Westmoreland Health System with Latrobe Area Hospital, and later, Mercy 
Jeannette Hospital, creating and expanding the county's largest and 
only health care provider, Excela Health. His vision of a distributed 
delivery model assures local access to advanced health care, which is 
evident in Excela Health's Centers for Excellence, state of the art 
Emergency Departments and nationally recognized Stroke Prevention 
programs.
  Therefore, I join in commending David S. Gallatin for his history of 
hard work and service to our health system and the communities it 
serves.

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