[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 166 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF UNT STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

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                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2018

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of 
North Texas Student Health and Wellness Center on the 100th Anniversary 
of its founding on October 3, 1918. Since 2007, the health center has 
operated from Chestnut Hall, a state-of-the-art facility that serves 
current student health needs. Its home at Chestnut Hall reflects both 
the improvements in care and the growth of the UNT community that have 
occurred over the past 100 years.
  The health center has a long history. It first opened in 1918 as the 
sanitarium for the Student Army Training Corps students, constructed by 
the federal government as an emergency hospital for student soldiers 
training for World War I during the 1918 Spanish Influenza Pandemic. It 
served five patients on its opening day, and was only able to provide 
care for eight patients at a time at its initial W. Mulberry Street 
location. Although the hospital closed November 11, 1918, North Texas 
State Normal College purchased the equipment through a $1 fee from all 
students and staff, relocating the hospital in September 1919 to the 
corner of Avenue B and Sycamore Street under the supervision of a 
nurse, Adolphine Grabbe.
  Dr. L.O. Hayes was hired as head of the hospital in August 1930 and 
became the first full-time physician on staff. Facility improvements 
were also made that year, including a steam pressure sterilizer and 
clinical laboratory. In 1933, the hospital was relocated to a new 
fifty-bed building on campus that was equipped with an x-ray machine 
and allowed treatment of first-aid, surgery and care for both 
contagious and non-contagious diseases. A new hospital with air 
conditioning was constructed in 1957, allowing for space on the 2nd 
floor to be closed-off for an isolation ward. A remodel in 1975 
converted the hospital from an inpatient facility to an outpatient 
facility, and added additional capacity to provide critical health 
services.
  The groundbreaking for Chestnut Hall, approved by a student 
referendum on the 35,000 student campus, was held in 2005. The 74,000 
square foot building currently boasts a digital x-ray machine, 
extensive laboratory, treatment rooms, immunization rooms, urgent care 
rooms, twenty-nine exam rooms, wellness resources center, pharmacy and 
space for administrative staff.
  In August 2018, the center received reaccreditation through the 
Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This is a 
prestigious honor that serves as a reminder of the high quality of care 
provided to meet the health needs of a 38,000 student campus.
  As a physician, I understand the dedication of those called to a 
medical career, as well as the satisfaction that comes from helping 
patients. I offer my sincere appreciation to Dr. Herschel Voorhees and 
the center's dedicated team for their efforts to provide outstanding 
care each day. Thank you for all you do to enhance the lives of 
students, faculty, and staff at UNT. I join you in celebration of the 
accomplishments of the center's first 100 years, and the standard you 
have set for those who follow in the next 100 years

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