[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 175 (Friday, October 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING DR. BETH RIPLEY ON RECEIVING THE 2020 SAMUEL J. HEYMAN 
          SERVICE TO AMERICA MEDAL IN SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 2020

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to rise to 
congratulate Beth Ripley, M.D., Ph.D. on being the recipient of the 
2020 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal in the Science and 
Environment category.
  Dr. Beth Ripley is an assistant professor of radiology at the 
University of Washington and the Director of the Veterans Health 
Administration's (VHA) 3D Printing Network in Puget Sound. She saw 
potential in this emerging technology back in 2017, and through her 
innovative techniques, she has revolutionized health care at the VHA. 
Dr. Ripley prints 3D models of parts of people's bodies from kidneys to 
hip joints to hearts.
  These 3D models allow doctors to provide veterans with the best 
possible health care and have resulted in more efficient and effective 
surgeries by saving valuable time and minimizing the potential for 
mistakes. Doctors can also show models to their patients to give them a 
better understanding of the procedure they're going to undergo. In some 
cases, these models have even shown surgery wouldn't be the best course 
of action.
  At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic Dr. Ripley made the impossible 
possible and began printing personal protective equipment for staff and 
veterans. She has even started 3D printing parts needed for life-saving 
ventilators. Dr. Ripley truly embodies what it means to be a civil 
servant and the Puget Sound VHA is incredibly lucky to have somebody 
with the passion and innovation she does.
  Madam Speaker, it is an honor to congratulate Dr. Beth Ripley on 
receiving this well-deserved award and I thank her for dedicating her 
career to improving health care for our veterans.

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