[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 169 (Thursday, October 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BARBARA A. ZDRAVECKY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2017

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
distinguished career and leadership of ``one of country's most 
influential advocates for women's rights,'' Barbara A. Zdravecky. She 
is retiring after serving 24 years as the CEO of Planned Parenthood of 
Southwest and Central Florida. I am honored to recognize her selfless 
service and valuable contributions during these challenging times for 
the health rights of women.
  A Pennsylvania native, Barbara graduated from the Indiana University 
of Pennsylvania and earned her nursing degree from Manatee County's 
State College of Florida. Barbara served as head nurse of Manatee 
Memorial Hospital's Psychiatric Program and later served as the Patient 
Care Coordinator of the First Hospice Program in Key West, primarily 
caring for HIV/AIDS patients. In 1993, Barbara accepted the offer to 
lead Planned Parenthood of Southwest Florida as its Chief Executive 
Officer where she continues to serve and live by their mission to 
provide comprehensive health care, education, and advocacy for women of 
all walks of life.
  Throughout her career, Barbara advocated to ensure that women have 
the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and 
fulfill their dreams--no ceilings, no limits. She successfully fought 
countless legislative battles and then brought legal challenges when 
the legislative body overreached, such as Florida's House Bill 1411, 
the Termination of Pregnancies and Planned Parenthood of Southwest and 
Central Florida v. Celeste Philip, that would have blocked access to 
health care for women and their families. She kept up the good fight on 
all attempts to protect against attempts to cut funding for or defund 
Planned Parenthood altogether.
  Under Barbara's leadership, Planned Parenthood grew in stature into 
the Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida in 2015. 
Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida now covers 22 
counties with 11 health centers serving over 45,000 patients in 
Florida.
  Barbara was also instrumental in engineering regional headquarters in 
Sarasota and constructing the new building at 736 Central Avenue where 
the health care provider has expanded its services. In September, it 
became the first in Florida to offer hormone therapy for transgender 
patients.
  Barbara has received numerous awards and accolades for her dedicated 
service. In 2006, Barbara was honored with the Ruth Green Award as the 
top Planned Parenthood CEO in the country by Planned Parenthood 
Federation of America. Equality Florida presented her with the ``2014 
Voice for Equality Award'' and in 2015, she was named ``Wonder Woman'' 
by the Women's Resource Center of Manatee County.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of Florida, my neighbors in 
the Tampa Bay community and women everywhere, I would like to take this 
opportunity to thank one of the great champions of women's health and 
equal rights, Barbara A. Zdravecky, for her many years of service and 
contributions fighting for the rights of women and their families. It 
is with great honor and joy to congratulate Barbara on her new endeavor 
as well as the many accomplishments she has had throughout her career, 
and I know together we will keep up the good fight.

                          ____________________