[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 161 (Friday, September 28, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF DR. RANDALL L. O'DONNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 28, 2018

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Dr. Randall L. 
O'Donnell as a champion of pediatric health and wellness in the greater 
Kansas City community for his work in improving the quality of care for 
children both in the Kansas City region and beyond. In 1897 two 
sisters, Dr. Alice Berry Graham and Dr. Katharine Berry Richardson, 
began treating children at no cost to families and without public 
assistance or donations. What began with the treatment of one little 
girl soon grew to a dozen children and then to hundreds more. Over 120 
years later, Children's Mercy Hospital is a pillar in Missouri's Fifth 
Congressional District, treating 500,000 children annually and offering 
exceptional family and childcare services.
  In 1993, Dr. O'Donnell became the Chief Executive Officer of 
Children's Mercy, the region's only pediatric hospital, marking the 
beginning of a long streak of innovative leadership and remarkable 
pediatric healthcare services. His desire to help children has 
significantly contributed to the expansion of the hospital's scope of 
services. In the last twenty-five years since its inception, Children's 
Mercy has extended their facilities to Overland Park, nearly doubled 
the size of their available beds, and expanded the downtown branch.
  Throughout his tenure with Children's Mercy, Dr. O'Donnell has been 
an advocate for research and education. Under his leadership, the 
nonprofit secured necessary donations to launch the construction of a 
new nine-story research tower to further study pediatric medicine. It 
is no surprise that the hospital is recognized as one of the largest 
employers in the Fifth Congressional District and has become a renowned 
teaching hospital for students. Moreover, the hospital has earned 
countless honors and top-rankings such as the 2012, 2013, and 2015 
Healthiest Employers Program and fifth in the Top Area Acute-Care 
General Hospital List. Most importantly, the hospital has a standing 
reputation locally and nationally for putting children first. Sticking 
to his personal mantra that ``Children aren't little adults,'' Dr. 
O'Donnell spearheaded a complete remodel of the hospital's interior 
design to create a fun, colorful, and welcoming environment for 
children. Unsurprisingly, from 2014 to 2017, Dr. O'Donnell was named 
one of the most influential people in the Kansas City community by the 
Kansas City Business Journal's Power 100.
  Furthermore, it is my belief that the dedication and altruism Dr. 
O'Donnell has given the children and the Kansas City community is 
worthy of appreciation. His outstanding direction to lead Children's 
Mercy has solidified the preparedness of the nonprofit for future 
medical care. His devotion, passion, and hard work are demonstrative of 
the legacy the Berry sisters had when they founded the hospital. The 
entire district, myself included, is grateful to have such a 
distinguished doctor assisting the needs of children and families.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me and all of Missouri's Fifth Congressional 
District in honoring Dr. Randall O'Donnell for twenty-five years of 
remarkable service as a leader of pediatric medical care. I encourage 
my fellow citizens across the country and my colleagues in this chamber 
to join me in showing appreciation to the service Dr. O'Donnell has 
given our children.

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