[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RETIREMENT OF DONNA PROSKE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. DANIEL M. DONOVAN, JR.

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2018

  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Donna Proske for her 
remarkable career in the healthcare industry.
   After graduating from Wagner College with her Bachelor of Science in 
Nursing degree, Donna Proske was hired as a nurse at Staten Island 
University Hospital, where she would spend her entire career. During 
her 30-plus years of service, she went from bedsides to the boardroom. 
Donna went from waiting on patients as a nurse to Chief Nurse 
Executive, COO, EVP, and finally Executive Director in 2013. Her 
commitment to service led to her recently receiving the Above and 
Beyond Award by New York's City & State publication.
   Donna has also served when she was needed most. During Hurricane 
Irene, she was SIUH's Incident Commander and led the evacuation of the 
hospital. Moreover, during Superstorm Sandy, she and a barebones staff 
were able to keep the Emergency Department open even as the water 
threatened to flood the hospital. Thanks to her efforts, they were able 
to accept those injured from the hurricane, along with those who needed 
shelter.
   Just a few of Donna's many accomplishments include her role in 
creating The Jerome L. Finkelstein, MD, Regional Burn Center, Staten 
Island University Hospital's cardiac surgery program, the Elizabeth A. 
Connelly Emergency and Trauma Center, and the Regina M. McGinn, MD, 
Education Center. For one person to have had such an instrumental part 
in establishing these vital projects is nothing short of astounding. 
However, her stellar record does not stop there. She has also received 
the North Shore-LIJ Health System Nursing Leadership Award, Women in 
Healthcare Award, and the Visiting Nursing Association's Smith Stanley 
Award. With such a well-decorated career, it is evident that Donna has 
truly given it her all at SIUH.
   Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Donna Proske on her prodigious 
career. She is the embodiment of a dedicated and selfless individual. I 
thank her for everything she has done for the Staten Island community, 
and I wish her the happiest of retirements.

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