[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S3285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BON SECOURS ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL

 Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 50th 
anniversary of the Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, the first hospital 
in the Bon Secours Richmond Health System. This not-for-profit Catholic 
health system, which is comprised of four hospitals in the greater 
Richmond metropolitan area, serves some of the neediest populations 
throughout central Virginia.
  St. Mary's founding was rooted in a strong history of providing care. 
In 1824, in Paris, 12 women formed the congregation of the Sisters of 
Bon Secours, French for ``Good Help.'' The Sisters' purpose was to 
nurse the sick and dying in their homes. The Sisters of Bon Secours 
came to the United States in 1881, where they continued their work of 
aiding the poor, the sick, and the dying in their homes. In 1966, Bon 
Secours expanded its mission with the opening of St. Mary's Hospital. 
Through its history, Bon Secours Richmond has stayed true to its 
founding principles through its community outreach and commitment to 
serving the neediest among us.
  For the past 50 years, St. Mary's Hospital has provided critical 
health services including cardiac, orthopedic, women's pediatric, 
surgery, oncology, imaging, neurology, and emergency services. St. 
Mary's Hospital ranks in the top 10 percent of America's hospitals for 
emergency care. Today St. Mary's employs over 3,000 employees, 
including more than 1,000 physicians.
  Bon Secours' mission is to bring compassion to health care and to be 
good help to those in need. I commend St. Mary's Hospital on behalf of 
my constituents for its commitment to health care excellence and 
service to the patients and families in the greater Richmond 
area.

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