[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2013

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a hospital 
system that has served as a beacon for 75 years in Columbia, South 
Carolina. Providence Hospital in the Palmetto State's capital city has 
provided extraordinary care and healing for three quarters of a 
century, earning it the appreciation and admiration of a grateful 
community.
  Providence Hospital was founded in 1938 as an act of faith and 
charity. The vision behind the hospital came from Father Martin C. 
Murphy of St. Peter's Church, who wanted to bring the quality care that 
Catholic hospitals provide to the Columbia area. With a generous 
donation from local businessman James B. Younginer, he was able to put 
a downpayment on an 18-acre tract of land. The final piece of the 
puzzle fell into place when the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine in 
Ohio mortgaged their motherhouse in Cleveland in order to finance the 
new hospital. This was extraordinary considering the sisters had never 
been to Columbia.
  Today Providence Hospital operates under the auspices of the Sisters 
of Charity Health System. Over the last 75 years, the non-profit 
organization has grown to provide 304 beds in four hospitals: 
Providence Hospital, Providence Heart & Vascular Institute, Providence 
Hospital Northeast and Providence Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute. 
Providence Hospital is a faith-based health care facility that employs 
more than 1,900 caring individuals.
  Providence Hospital is renowned as South Carolina's ``heart 
hospital.'' Since 1974, Providence Heart & Vascular Institute 
physicians and staff have performed more cardiovascular procedures than 
any medical team in the state. It is recognized statewide as a referral 
center for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular 
disease.
  In 1985, Providence Hospital added a helicopter service to help bring 
critically ill patients to the facility to be treated. Today LifeNet 
South Carolina is a 24 hour a day airborne intensive care unit serving 
Providence and other facilities in the Carolinas and Georgia.
  In 1999, Providence Hospital established a 46-bed community hospital 
in the Northeast area of Columbia. This facility offers a range of 
medical services in surgery, emergency care, women's and children's 
services and rehabilitation. Also located on this campus is the 
Providence Orthopaedic & Neuro Spine Institute, which offers an 
integrated continuum of care for orthopaedic and neurosurgical patients 
throughout the region.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in 
congratulating Providence Hospital for its 75 years of compassionate 
health care. As the facility continues to grow and expand, I commend 
Providence for its commitment to improving the delivery of quality 
health care to the people of South Carolina and maintaining its focus 
on faith. Providence Hospital has become synonymous with exceptional 
patient care and embodying the values of respect, compassion, 
collaboration, courage and justice. I look forward to its continued 
service to the community and the Creator.

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