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




                       TRIBUTE TO PATRICK MAGOON

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, it was more than 50 years ago that a 
young couple from Springfield, IL brought their baby daughter to then-
Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. They drove more than 200 miles 
each way because they knew Children's Hospital provided the best care 
for their daughter, and they repeated that trip every 3 months for 
years. I know this story well because it is the story of my family's 
relationship with Children's Memorial, now known as Lurie Children's. 
It also is a story thousands of other children and families could tell 
about the world-class treatment they received at Children's.
  I want to take this time to recognize a person who has been the heart 
and soul of this hospital for decades: my friend, Mr. Patrick Magoon. 
Pat served as the president and CEO of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie 
Children's Hospital of Chicago for more than two decades. He retired 
recently, and I want to take this opportunity to honor his work.
  In 1977, Pat started his career at then-Children's Memorial Hospital 
as a planning department intern while he pursued his master's degree in 
urban policy and planning from the University of Illinois. When he 
joined the staff at the hospital, he held a number of administrative 
positions--even working as the hospital's laundry manager--before he 
became president and CEO in 1997.
  In the last 20 years under Pat's direction, Lurie Children's has come 
to be recognized as one of the best children's hospitals in the Nation. 
In the last 8 years, U.S. News and World Report has named Lurie's a top 
10 children's hospital in the country 7 times. It also has received 
four Magnet Award designations, the highest national recognition given 
for excellence in nursing care.
  When Pat was appointed, the hospital faced financial challenges, 
losing about $1 million a month. Thanks to his hard work, vision, and 
commitment, the hospital is not only financially stable but has become 
a beacon of hope for children--both within its own walls and in the 
Chicago community. During Pat's tenure, it has increased the number of 
children it serves by more than 50 percent, giving thousands of 
children access to high-quality healthcare services. Lurie Children's 
has significantly expanded its innovative research and treatment 
services, including its Nation-leading efforts on trauma-informed care 
and violence prevention, to meet the increasing needs of its patients.
  Pat Magoon has been the key to positioning Lurie Children's as a 
national leader in the care of kids. I am especially grateful for our 
partnership over the years and his leadership in protecting and 
advocating for the youngest, most vulnerable patients. We could always 
count on Pat and Children's to be a strong ally in the support of the 
Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, biomedical research funding, and 
addressing violence and the social determinants of health.
  Pat Magoon's legacy is not just a great children's hospital, which 
Lurie Children's has become, but the heartfelt appreciation of the 
children, parents, staff, and volunteers who know he has been an 
integral part of making their lives better. I salute my friend, Pat 
Magoon.
  (At the request of Mr. Schumer, the following statement was ordered 
to be printed in the Record.)

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