[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 98 (Friday, June 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      WHITMAN HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER OF COLVILLE, WASHINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2009

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Whitman Hospital and Medical Center in Colville, Washington. Whitman 
Hospital, founded in 1893, has carried out its mission of providing 
medical care to members of the rural community in Northeast Washington 
for over 115 years.
  Whitman Hospital and Medical Center is dedicated to assuring medical 
service is provided in accordance with its core values of respect, 
compassion, teamwork, stewardship, and responsiveness to the community. 
In addition to emergency services and surgery, the Medical Center 
operates a variety of clinics to support non-critical community health, 
such as allergy, cardiology, neurology, and ear, nose and throat 
conditions. The Whitman Hospital and Medical Center also provides 
opportunities for health education through classes, programs, and 
training seminars. The hospital proved its resilience by winning the 
``Top 100 Benchmark Hospital'' award in 1994 and 1995 despite nearly 
closing due to financial difficulties in the late 1980s. Whitman 
Hospital and Medical Center's employees have contributed to providing 
the rural counties of Northeast Washington the kinds of healthcare 
options often only available in large urban centers.
  Currently in the second stage of a $19 million building and expansion 
project, the hospital and medical center continues to strive to provide 
better and more varied healthcare options. In its first stage of 
construction, the hospital constructed a new facility to house a 25-bed 
inpatient center, labor and delivery rooms, and radiology clinic. The 
current construction stage, scheduled for completion in late summer, 
2009, involves remodeling several current operations, such as the 
respiratory therapy clinic and pharmacy.
  Madam Speaker, I believe the ongoing efforts to provide excellent 
medical assistance to the counties of Northeast Washington make the 
Whitman Hospital and Medical Center worthy of recognition before this 
body. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring Whitman Hospital 
and Medical Center by observing over 115 years of continuing dedication 
to community health services and education.

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