[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 192 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S8598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING SOUTHCENTRAL FOUNDATION

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I wish to recognize Southcentral 
Foundation, an Alaska Native-owned, nonprofit health care organization 
serving nearly 60,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people. 
Southcentral Foundation received the 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National 
Quality Award, an award administered by the Baldrige Performance 
Excellence Program to honor the country's most innovative 
organizations. The Baldrige Award is the only formal recognition of the 
performance excellence of both public and private U.S. organizations 
given by the President of the United States. Southcentral Foundation is 
the Alaska's first health care organization to receive this award.
  Southcentral Foundation was established in 1982 to improve the health 
and social conditions of Alaska Native and American Indian people, 
enhance culture, and empower individuals and families to take charge of 
their lives. They employ over 1,500 people, of which 53 percent are 
Alaska Natives or American Indians. As mayor of Anchorage and now as 
Senator, I watched the growth of this excellent nonprofit from a small 
outpatient facility to a beautiful, culturally designed campus 
encompassing many buildings to serve their customer-owners.
  Southcentral Foundation's innovative Nuka system of care combines 
medical, dental, behavioral, and traditional practices and creates 
relationships that focus on supporting wellness instead of just 
treating illness. This system has received national and international 
attention for its successes in health outcomes, operational 
efficiencies, and customer and employee satisfaction. It is a truly 
exemplary health care system that is one of the best in the country.
  The award will be presented by President Barack Obama in April, 
2012.

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