[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





TRIBUTE TO PAUL USHER FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS PRESIDENT AND CEO 
                       OF MARION GENERAL HOSPITAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Paul Usher 
on the occasion of his retirement. From 2008 to 2016, Paul has served 
as President and CEO of Marion General Hospital in Marion, Indiana. In 
his eight years as the system's President, Paul has demonstrated an 
unwavering commitment to superior patient care and ensuring Marion 
General Hospital's growth and success. The people of Indiana's Fifth 
Congressional District are forever grateful for Paul's dedication to 
making Marion General Hospital a great place to work, practice 
medicine, and receive exceptional health care.
  Before taking the role as President and CEO at Marion General, Paul 
had a long history of devoting his time to bettering the lives of 
Hoosiers and improving his community. Paul is a native of Marion, 
Indiana and graduated from Ball State University where he earned a 
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. Shortly after graduating he received a 
Certified Public Accountant certificate and quickly emerged to be a 
leader within the financial community. He became a member of both the 
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Indiana CPA 
Society. Paul's ambition and passion led him to continue growing in his 
role in the financial world and his expertise led him to the healthcare 
field. He became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare 
Executives (FACHE), the nation's leading professional society for 
healthcare leaders, as well as a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial 
Management Association (HFMA), the nation's leading membership 
organization for healthcare financial management executives and 
leaders, which he has been a member of for nearly 44 years and 
previously served as President of the Indiana Chapter.
  Though Paul has an extensive and impressive background, his most 
notable accomplishments are connected to his work at Marion General 
Hospital. For 34 years, he has been an integral part of making Marion 
General the successful organization it is today. Prior to taking the 
role as CEO and President in 2008, Paul served the healthcare system as 
Chief Financial Officer. Throughout his tenure at the helm of the 
longtime community institution, Paul has emphasized relationships as 
the hospital's key to success. This emphasis cultivated a culture of 
exceptional patient care and made it a wonderful place to work. In 
2012, Marion General Hospital received the prestigious honor as a Fire 
Starter hospital from the Studer Group. A Fire Starter hospital is one 
which ignites the flame of excellence by embracing the foundational 
principles of working together, developing relationships, caring for 
one another and extending true compassion to others. Since its 
beginning in 1896, Marion General Hospital has grown immensely and 
because of strong leadership from people like Paul, the hospital 
continues to provide exceptional healthcare to the people of Grant 
County over a century later.
  Paul's commitment to the highest standard of care and success as a 
leader has not gone unnoticed; he has received numerous accolades. Most 
notably, Paul was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash (2016) for his 
exceptional leadership, devotion to his organization, and making 
significant contributions to the great Hoosier state. He also received 
the Stanley A. Pressler Award from the Indiana Healthcare Financial 
Management Association, the most honorable award bestowed by the 
Indiana HFMA chapter.
  Paul has devoted himself to attaining the vision he set out for the 
hospital when he began his career with Marion General, and over the 
past several years he has achieved that vision. He leaves behind a 
strong legacy at Marion General Hospital and throughout the Hoosier 
community, especially Grant County. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth 
Congressional District, I'd like to congratulate Paul on his remarkable 
career and extend a huge thank you for all of the wonderful 
contributions he has made to Marion General Hospital and the Grant 
County Community. I wish the very best to Paul and his wife, Marsha, as 
he enjoys a well-deserved retirement.

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