[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1003-E1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JEWISH AMERICANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2012

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today it is my honor to rise and 
recognize the contributions of Jewish-Americans to our nation. I 
commend President Barack Obama for designating May 2012 as Jewish 
Heritage Month. Also, I thank Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, 
my fellow Floridian, for leading the congressional effort to 
commemorate Jewish Heritage Month.
  My relationship with the Jewish community dates back to my childhood 
years. It was a very different time then. While segregation and 
oppression were the norm, members of the Jewish community treated me 
and my family with love and compassion. Decades later, these guiding 
principles remain the same. Today, as many of my colleagues honor 
Jewish-Americans who have made significant contributions to our nation, 
I will recognize Steven Sonenreich, a leader in the healthcare industry 
and South Florida community.
  Mr. Sonenreich has been a leader in my community for over 30 years. 
In addition to leading Mount Sinai Hospital, he is an advisory board 
member for the University of Miami School of Business's Health 
Administration Department and the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence 
Project. Furthermore, he serves on numerous other boards and 
committees.

[[Page E1004]]

  Whether we visit hospitals as an expecting mother or for emergency 
purposes, we place our lives in the hands of the many healthcare 
professionals and we expect them to meet our needs at the highest 
level. Mr. Sonenreich keenly understands this. During my mother's last 
moments, Mr. Sonenreich ensured that I had access to her, so that I 
could remain by her side. His commitment to serving others and 
leadership are two factors accounting for his remarkable career.
  After earning his Masters Degree in Business Administration at the 
University of Miami, Mr. Sonenreich began his health care career at 
Mount Sinai in 1976. During his initial 20 year tenure at Mount Sinai, 
he worked his way through the ranks, starting in the finance division. 
He was Mount Sinai's first Director of Marketing and Business 
Development and later was named Vice President of Administration. In 
1990, he became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, 
responsible for all the operational management of the Medical Center.
  In 1996, Mr. Sonenreich left Mount Sinai for the opportunity to 
become Chief Executive Officer of Cedars Medical Center in Miami. Under 
his direction, Cedars won several awards for customer service and 
overall performance including Florida Medical Business Journal's Annual 
Healthcare Award for the Best Run Hospital and Best Hospital 
Administrator, Mercury Award for overall performance and the Systema 
Group's Consumer Opinion Award in 2000.
  The Mount Sinai Medical Center Board of Trustees recruited Mr. 
Sonenreich back to the hospital in October 2001. Under his leadership, 
the hospital has won numerous awards, including the Solucient 100 Top 
Hospitals, designation as a UnitedHealth Premium Cardiac Specialty 
Center; the Clinical Trials Participation Award presented by the 
American Society of Clinical Oncology, Excellence in Facility Expansion 
(Mount Sinai's cardiac catheterization lab) from South Florida Business 
Journal, Excellence In Health Services (Mount Sinai's Community 
Clinical Oncology Program) from South Florida Business Journal and Kids 
Crown Award--Best Place to Give Birth in Miami-Dade County and South 
Florida.
  Mr. Steven Sonenreich remains one of our nation's most outstanding 
community leaders and providers of healthcare. I thank him today for 
his service to South Florida and our nation.

                          ____________________