[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 127 (Friday, July 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1105-E1106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING TERESITA BATAYOLA AS A 2017 WOMAN OF INFLUENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 27, 2018

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Teresita 
Batayola, CEO of International Community Health Services (ICHS).
  International Community Health Services provides medical and dental 
care, as well as behavioral health and health education services to 
many, including the Seattle area's Asian and Pacific Islander 
communities. Under the leadership of Teresita Batayola, it has grown 
into an award-winning healthcare organization, and the largest 
nonprofit organization that serves Asian and Pacific Islander 
populations in Washington State.
  Born in the Philippines and raised in Seattle, Ms. Batayola knew from 
an early age that she wanted to be a leader in public service. She 
received a B.A. in Public Affairs from Seattle University, and a 
Masters in Urban Administration from Bucknell University. She proved to 
be an exemplary leader on economic and community development issues, 
and she worked as Strategic Development Advisor on a World Bank Project 
in Surabaya, Indonesia, and then headed Comprehensive Planning for the 
City of Seattle. Washington Governor Jay Inslee also appointed her to 
the Healthier Washington Health Innovation Leadership Network and the 
Seattle College Board of Trustees. In 2005, she became the CEO of ICHS.
  Under Ms. Batayola's stewardship, ICHS experienced unprecedented 
growth, opening several new clinics around the Seattle area--the 
culmination of an eight year-long planning effort. The organization 
currently serves over 25,000 patients at eight locations, providing 
care in over fifty languages.
  Ms. Batayola's outstanding leadership has helped to earn ICHS many 
awards. The Puget Sound Business Journal recognized Teresita Batayola 
as one of 2017's Women of Influence. In 2014 and 2015, the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services named ICHS a National Quality 
Leader. The organization also received the Warren Featherstone Reid 
Award for Excellence in Healthcare from the state of Washington in 
2015. Ms. Batayola herself has been recognized for an astounding number 
of awards. Some of these include being selected as Seattle Business 
Magazine's outstanding leader in healthcare, the Filipino Community of 
Seattle's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Community 
Leadership, the University of Washington Women Center's WOMAN of 
COURAGE, the National Association of Community Health Center's Betsey 
K. Cooke Grassroots MVP Award winner, as well as a White House Champion 
for Change.
  Her commitment to affordable healthcare has ensured that ICHS has 
been able to provide diverse communities access to vital services. Ms. 
Batayola has helped make available culturally appropriate services to 
many who would otherwise be marginalized in the health sector. By doing 
so, she has helped to fight for equality and make our community an 
inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Teresita Batayola on 
being named a 2017 Woman of Influence. I commend her on her

[[Page E1106]]

exemplary work. Her tireless dedication to public service has enriched 
countless lives in her community.

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