[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 141 (Tuesday, November 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING MR. WRIGHT L. LASSITER III

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2014

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, 
Congressman Mike Honda and Congressman Eric Swalwell, to honor the 
extraordinary career of Mr. Wright L. Lassiter III. Mr. Lassiter is 
currently the Chief Executive Officer of Alameda Health System, where 
he has served the residents of Alameda County with distinction. In 
December, Mr. Lassiter begin work as President of the Henry Ford Health 
System in Michigan.
  Mr. Lassiter graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York 
with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry with honors, as well as minors in 
Biology and Philosophy. He went on to receive his Master's Degree in 
Healthcare Administration from Indiana University, where he graduated 
at the top of his class.
  Prior to serving as CEO of Alameda Health System, Mr. Lassiter held 
numerous executive positions. He served as senior vice president of 
operations for JPS Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas, where he 
oversaw operations and expanded ambulatory and specialty care services. 
He also served in multiple executive positions in the Methodist Health 
System in Dallas, Texas, overseeing support and clinical services.
  During his tenure at Alameda Health System, Mr. Lassiter has created 
a culture of excellence and led the expansion and growth of the 
organization. His guidance, leadership, and accomplishments have 
garnered national acclaim. Some of those accomplishments include seven 
years of positive financial performance with operating margins as high 
as 19%; a $70 million reduction of debt; the expansion of the Highland 
campus with a new Acute Tower and state of the art Care Pavilion; the 
addition of two new hospitals to the network--San Leandro Hospital and 
Alameda Hospital; and designation by the Joint Commission as a top 
performer with an increase in patient engagement from the 1st 
percentile to the 80th percentile.
  Mr. Lassiter is also an enthusiastic community leader. He has held 
numerous important volunteer leadership positions in each of the 
communities in which he has lived and worked. These include serving as 
the Board Chairman for the YMCA of the East Bay, the Alameda Alliance 
for Health, and the California Association of Public Hospitals and 
Health Systems. He also serves on the Boards of BETA Healthcare Group, 
the California Hospital Association, the Safety Net Institute, the Bay 
Area Urban Network, the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and 
sits on the Board of Regents of his alma mater, LeMoyne College. He is 
a member of both the American College of Health Care Executives and the 
National Association of Health Service Executives.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th, 15th, and 17th 
Congressional Districts, Mr. Wright L. Lassiter III, I salute you. I 
thank you for a lifetime of service and congratulate you on your many 
achievements. I wish you continued success as you go on to lead the 
Henry Ford Health System and serve the residents of Michigan.

                          ____________________