[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN BREAST CENTER

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2009

  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gundersen 
Lutheran's Norma J. Vinger Center for Breast Care on becoming the first 
breast cancer treatment center in the nation to achieve the highest 
level of distinction from the National Quality Measures for Breast 
Centers (NQMBC) program. The honor was presented to Gundersen Lutheran 
because they ranked at or above a designated threshold of performance 
for 90 percent of the measures specified by the NQMBC. This honor 
reflects the center's commitment to providing the highest level of 
quality care to breast cancer patients and their families at the lowest 
possible costs. I am extremely proud Wisconsin's Third Congressional 
District is home to a breast care facility that is a national leader in 
the measurement of treatment and outcomes.
  The Norma J. Vinger Center for Breast Care provides state-of-the-art 
patient and family care emphasizing prevention, education, early 
detection, and clinical research. Their approach to breast care is 
holistic and interdisciplinary with a staff that includes experienced 
physicians, surgeons, nurses, and technologists who are skilled in the 
latest methods of early diagnosis, treatment, and reconstructive 
surgery. The Norma J. Vinger Center for Breast Care has discovered 
numerous breakthroughs in research and breast cancer care that have 
provided countless patients with hope and access to the most advanced 
care available in the country.
  In addition to the NQMBC honor, Gundersen Lutheran is also one of two 
organizations in the country that has every available accreditation for 
the full scope of breast care, diagnosis, and treatment from the 
American College of Radiology. The Center also boasts two fellowship-
trained clinical breast radiologists that specialize in breast cancer 
care. The Center for Breast Care has demonstrated continued excellence 
in measuring and comparing quality performance. The staff is also 
committed to utilizing new advances in technology to ensure that the 
Center remains a national leader in breast cancer care and research.
  Providing care that promotes early detection, is outcome based, and 
utilizes innovative technology is the most efficient way to administer 
health care. I am proud to have this La Crosse based breast cancer 
facility in Wisconsin's Third Congressional District and hope that the 
great work they are conducting will serve as a model for the rest of 
the country.

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