[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 87 (Thursday, June 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1377-E1378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING RICHARD E. MURRAY, FACHE, FOR HIS SERVICE AS THE PRESIDENT/CEO 
                   OF KENNEDY MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 2009

  Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Richard E. 
Murray, FACHE. He has played an integral role in New Jersey's First 
District through his administration of multiple health care systems. 
Mr. Murray has demonstrated a history of compassion throughout the 
community and for this he deserves great praise.
  Mr. Murray has served as the President/Chief Executive Officer of 
Kennedy Memorial Health System since 1980. Kennedy Memorial Health 
System consists of three acute-care hospitals, multiple outpatient 
clinics and various wellness programs.
  Mr. Murray's leadership has led to many advances within the Kennedy 
Memorial Health System. Since 1998, Kennedy Memorial Hospital has 
opened a free-standing outpatient Dialysis Center, a Sleep Center, a 
10-bed Ronald McDonald House Pediatric Unit, a Cancer Center and 
Outpatient Medical Imaging Center, an Emergency Department, a Center 
for Wound Healing, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a 40-bed Progressive 
Care Unit, a 12-bed Innovative Hospice Care Center, a Stroke Program, a 
Maternity Center, a PET/CT Center, a Family Health Services Center, a 
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, a Surgical Unit, and an Intensive Care 
Unit.
  Aside from the structural upgrades, Mr. Murray has overseen multiple 
projects that have improved the quality of care within the Kennedy 
Memorial Health System. These projects include the creation of an 
``Invensivist Program'' to ensure the oversight of health care 
providers and patient safety, the purchase of the high-tech DaVinci 
Robot for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures, and the 
creation of programs for diabetes control and a smoke free environment 
at all facilities. Without the hard work and exceptional guidance 
provided by Mr. Murray, none of these things would have been possible.
  Mr. Murray has received multiple awards commemorating his service to 
the South Jersey community. In 2005, he received the New Jersey 
Hospital Association's Distinguished Service Award, presented annually 
to an individual with more than 15 years of service in health care who 
``consistently demonstrates strength, integrity, professionalism and a 
relentless commitment to a hospital or health care system.'' In 2006, 
he was honored by

[[Page E1378]]

March of Dimes for his positive influence and contribution to the 
community. In 2007, he was honored with the New Jersey Institute for 
Nursing EPIC Award, which honors exceptional individuals for their 
contributions to New Jersey communities and the advancement of health 
care for the profession of nursing.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Murray's service to New Jersey's First 
Congressional District should not go unrecognized. I want to personally 
thank Dick Murray for the exceptional guidance he has provided his 
staff, the community service he has provided to members of the 
community, and the lives that he has changed throughout New Jersey. I 
congratulate Mr. Murray and wish him the best of luck in the future.

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