[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 28 (Monday, February 28, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        HONORING JOHN H. WELSH ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

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                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 28, 2011

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Welsh, who will 
retire this year after four decades of service in hospital 
administration. Since obtaining his Master of Health Administration 
from the University of Missouri in 1971, John has been committed to 
ensuring the strength of the health institutions he has worked at and 
to providing the highest level quality of care for patients.
  John has most recently served as the President of Rumford Hospital in 
Rumford, Maine. Rumford is a small mill town of just under 5,000. Under 
John's leadership, Rumford Hospital has provided top quality health 
care and other services to the residents of Rumford and beyond.
  The Rumford Hospital is a vital part of the community. Not only does 
the hospital provide quality healthcare to Rumford and many of the 
surrounding rural towns, but it also is the leading job creator for the 
area. Under John's leadership, the Rumford Hospital has been able to 
offer many services that had formerly been unavailable to the citizens 
of the region. These services include LifeFlight Helicopter service and 
an Oncology Suite.
  Recently, Rumford Hospital named their new building in honor of John 
as thanks for his many years of service. The building includes a new 
operating room and nursing unit with up-to-date equipment and 
furnishings. It is incredibly important for the rural communities of 
the Rumford area to know that they have access to quality care so close 
to home. This assurance would not be possible without John Welsh.
  John has also gone beyond his work at Rumford Hospital and played an 
important role in the State's health care system. John's many 
contributions include serving as Chairman of the Maine Hospital 
Association Board and as the Maine American College of Health Care 
Executives Regent.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking John Welsh for his 
tremendous contributions and service to the people of Rumford and the 
State of Maine.

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