[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S985-S986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. LARRY GOODMAN

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, the Chicago area is blessed to have some 
of the top hospitals and academic centers in the country. Rush 
University Medical Center and College in Chicago, in particular, has 
advanced into a comprehensive and leading health care institution. Rush 
continues to deliver high-quality care to its patients, driving the 
field of innovative medical research and training the next generation 
of healthcare practitioners. I would like to celebrate the tenure and 
accomplishments of the hospital's president and CEO and the leader in 
the program at Rush, my friend, Dr. Larry Goodman.
  In 1976, Larry earned his medical degree from the University of 
Michigan's Medical School. He completed his residency at the Rush 
University Medical Center, where he served as the chief medical 
resident before joining the faculty.
  At Rush, Larry served as an infectious disease specialist, working to 
improve the lives of people affected by HIV and AIDS. He also served as 
the senior vice president of medical affairs and the dean of the Rush 
Medical College before the hospital appointed him as it's president and 
CEO in 2002.
  Under Larry's leadership, Rush has prospered. The hospital doubled 
its student enrollment in the last 20 years, training future physicians 
who will provide top-notch healthcare services in communities around 
the Nation. The hospital also collaborated to increase its employment 
of local community members. These efforts, in part through West Side 
United, have helped to reduce the health inequities that exist between 
the residents of low-income communities and those in affluent 
communities. In fact, it was Dr. Goodman who first told me about the 
alarming 16-year gap in life expectancy between people living in the 
Loop and in West Garfield Park--just two ``L'' stops, or 6 miles, apart 
from each other on the Blue.
  More than a year ago, I joined several community leaders to announce 
the Chicago Hospital Engagement, Action, and Leadership, or HEAL, 
Initiative to help address many of the root

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causes of gun violence, such as economic hardship and spare mental 
health services. Under this initiative, each hospital made 16 
commitments to address these issues. Larry was the inspiration for this 
undertaking and instrumental in getting it off the ground. It is a 
testament to his lifelong dedication to those in need.
  After decades of service dedicated to improving lives and helping 
others, Larry has retired with an amazing legacy. He has been key to 
thinking about the transformative role of hospitals in uplifting 
communities and through his hard work, vision, and commitment to make 
it possible. I am especially grateful for our partnership over the 
years, from his leadership on the Cook County Hospital transition to 
the Chicago HEAL Initiative.
  I am proud to call Larry my friend, and I wish him the very best in 
retirement.

                          ____________________