[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MR. THOMAS C. GAGEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2011

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thomas C. Gagen 
for his work and contributions towards improving the accessibility and 
affordability of health care to those living in the Sacramento region. 
For over a decade, Tom has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the 
Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento (SMCS) and during that time he has 
been an outstanding civic leader. As Tom retires, I ask my colleagues 
to join me in thanking him for his service and leadership in our 
community.
  After graduating from Purdue University, Tom went to Cleveland State 
University to receive his Masters in Business Administration. Before 
coming to Sacramento in 2000, Tom was a leader at a number of health 
care facilities, including the Carondelet Health Network in Tucson and 
then Scripps Health in San Diego, where he served as Senior Vice 
President. Throughout Tom's decade long tenure, he helped Sutter 
General Hospital and Sutter Memorial Hospital grow into one of 
Sacramento's largest not-for-profit organizations. During Tom's career 
leading SMCS, it was twice named as one of the top 100 hospitals in the 
nation and it received the Sutter Health's President's Award for 
patient satisfaction. Tom played a key role in improving care at SMCS 
and across the Sutter Health system as a key member of Sutter's Blue 
Ribbon Team on Quality.
  Under Tom's vision SMCS has shown incredible support of the 
community, donating over $20 million to dozens of local non-profit 
organizations. Tom served as the first chairman of Sacramento's 10-Year 
Plan to End Homelessness and has always worked to bring social services 
to the neediest. For his work with the homeless, Tom was the recipient 
of Cottage Housing's 2011 Beacon of Hope Award. Tom was also named the 
Sacramento Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Businessman of the Year, in part 
for his involvement with the Sutter's ``Triage, Transport and 
Treatment'' program, which addresses the needs of frequent emergency 
room visits by the uninsured.
  Since being elected to Congress, I have come to know Tom as an 
incredibly intelligent and forward thinking leader. He cares deeply 
about improving the quality and access to health care in the Sacramento 
region and he cares just as much about our community. As he retires, 
Tom leaves a true legacy of accomplishments that will be felt in 
Sacramento for generations.
  Mr. Speaker, as Tom, his wife Pat and their friends gather to 
celebrate his retirement, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking 
and recognizing him for his many years of service. Tom has contributed 
an immense amount to making Sacramento a better place to live, work and 
raise a family.

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