[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 18, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

  Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize 
Massachusetts General Hospital, located in my home State of 
Massachusetts. Mass General has recently been named the number one 
hospital in America by U.S. News & World Report for their dedication 
and excellence in providing care to thousands of patients every year. I 
also want to acknowledge Brigham and Women's Hospital for being named 
among the top hospitals in the country.
  Mass General cares for more than 47,000 inpatients each year, and 
serves as the largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. It 
is also the oldest and largest hospital in New England. Located right 
in Boston, Mass General's 907 bed facility has a tradition of 
excellence. They also have four additional health centers in 
Charlestown, Chelsea, Revere and the North End. Together, these 
locations handle over one million outpatient visits, as well as over 
80,000 emergency visits, each year. It is no surprise that Mass General 
is the top hospital in the Nation, with its impressive research 
program, innovative primary care, and distinguished staff.
  Massachusetts is home to a number of remarkable research programs, 
many of which are housed within Mass General's network, which is the 
largest hospital-based research program in the United States. This 
network includes over 20 clinical departments and centers, investing 
$550 million per year to work towards discoveries that transform 
treatments and patient care.
  For example, the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health 
Research at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children is one of only 
7 locations in the country funded by the NIH to study the rates of 
morbidity and mortality in women and children in developing countries. 
These discoveries have not only led to better treatments for children, 
but have also led to policy changes at the World Health Organization--
WHO--to better address international health for women and children.
  Mass General has also made important strides in primary care, 
especially for our State's seniors. The Mass General Geriatric Medicine 
Unit is rated one of the top departments in the nation for geriatric 
care, due to their diverse staff of specialists, including those in 
geriatric medicine, geriatric psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine, 
geriatric nursing, and social work, who focus on both the patient's 
physical and mental wellbeing.
  Mass General is changing the way that we look at patient primary 
care. You may be familiar with Patient Centered Medical Homes, which 
focus on patient care and health in a very personalized and coordinated 
way. Mass General Senior Health is a recognized Level 3 Patient 
Centered Medical Home, which is setting the standard for the industry. 
I recently visited Mass General, and I am continually impressed by 
their coordination to bring together multiple doctors and services to 
ensure the highest quality of care for Massachusetts residents.
  I would also like to recognize the Mass General nursing staff, as the 
hospital is a designated Magnet hospital. This is the highest honor in 
nursing excellence that is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing 
Center, and recognizes Mass General's excellence and innovations in 
their nursing practice.
  Finally, Mass General's Home Base Program has partnered with the 
Boston Red Sox Foundation to raise awareness about post-traumatic 
stress and traumatic brain injuries among our returning veterans. I am 
encouraged by their work to develop new treatments for these injuries, 
as well as their efforts to educate our community. Roughly 50,000 
veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan are affected by these 
injuries, and the Home Base Program is making great strides in 
supporting these wounded warriors.
  In closing, I congratulate Mass General Hospital for achieving the 
number one hospital ranking in the country. I know that the people of 
Massachusetts are extremely proud of this accomplishment.

                          ____________________