[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 21, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2117-S2118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOE GROSSMAN

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, my friend Joe Grossman has approached 
his work for the last 35 years with a head for numbers and a heart for 
people. As an accountant turned CEO of the largest healthcare 
organization in Southeastern Kentucky, Joe's experienced leadership has 
helped improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands. This 
summer, Joe will close his chapter leading Appalachian Regional 
Healthcare, ARH, and a career of excellence and accomplishment. As he 
begins a well-deserved retirement, I would like to share my 
congratulations and gratitude for his many contributions to the 
Bluegrass.
  For nearly two decades, Joe has been entrusted with key financial and 
operational positions at ARH. At each step, he has helped the system 
expand and thrive. When the position opened, Joe was the obvious choice 
to take over as president and CEO. He pushed ARH to continue growing in 
service to its patients, employees, and communities.
  Today, the system operates 13 hospitals in Kentucky and West Virginia 
as well as 80-plus clinic locations. With a team of more than 6,000 
dedicated professionals, ARH serves nearly 400,000 individuals across 
the region. The system's extensive reach makes a transformative impact 
on rural Kentucky communities every day and helps make the area a 
destination for top-tier medical talent. Joe's leadership even 
contributed to a national magazine naming ARH one of the Top 10 
Employers in Kentucky.
  Overseeing an organization of ARH's size and importance would be a 
remarkable feat in any year, but Joe exceeded expectations once again 
during the pandemic. Last month, I visited the ARH facility in Hazard 
to speak with Joe and his team about the rollout of the multiple safe 
and effective COVID-19 vaccines. At that time, three

[[Page S2118]]

of the five counties in Kentucky with the top vaccination rates were in 
ARH's service area. I was proud to congratulate Joe and his team of 
healthcare heroes who were getting shots in arms to beat this virus.
  Joe's contributions to Kentucky extend beyond the hospital doors. He 
has gone to great lengths to personally partner with the communities he 
serves. His work with organizations like One East KY, the Hazard-Perry 
County Economic Development Alliance, and One Harlan County has helped 
encourage new growth and opportunity. Joe developed a vision for a 
healthy and successful Kentucky, and he worked tirelessly over the 
years to bring it closer to reality.
  So, we are all going to miss working with Joe. But now he gets to 
spend more time on his most important roles, husband to Leigh, father, 
and grandfather. Along with Joe's colleagues and friends, I extend my 
best wishes for a fulfilling retirement. On behalf of the Senate, I 
would like to congratulate Joe on all of his success and thank him for 
his leadership in Kentucky.

                          ____________________