[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 80 (Monday, May 10, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2410-S2411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO WENDY CURRAN

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
career of Wendy Curran. Wendy will soon retire as vice president of 
care delivery and provider affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of 
Wyoming. Her retirement marks the end of a remarkable career dedicated 
to improving the lives of people in my State.
  Wendy Curran has been at the center of Wyoming health policy for over 
30 years. She earned the trust of folks across the State with her broad 
knowledge of the challenges and opportunities for improving care in 
Wyoming. She forged alliances and friendships on both sides of the 
aisle, and both Republicans and Democrats respected Wendy's insights 
and relied on her unique knowledge.
  As the daughter of a third-generation rancher, Wendy grew up on the 
Peryam Ranch in the Upper North Platte River Valley. During this time, 
spent riding horses and playing in the Encampment River, she learned 
lessons that would later contribute to her successful career. Daily 
chores taught her the value of hard work. She developed the ability to 
``heal up and hair over,'' a cowboy's term for resiliency. In fact, her 
grit, humility, and determination represent several of the key tenets 
in our State ethics code, the Code of the West: be tough, but fair; 
take pride in your work; do what has to be done.
  Throughout her career, Wendy held many distinguished jobs at all 
levels of government. She began by working for U.S. Senator Cliff 
Hansen. Other members of Wyoming's congressional delegation also 
benefited from her work. Wendy served U.S. Congressman Dick Cheney and 
U.S. Senator Malcom Wallop as well.
  In 1991, Wendy joined the Wyoming Medical Society. Wendy was the 
passionate voice of Wyoming physicians and patients, serving as the 
assistant director of public affairs and later leading the organization 
as executive director. Wendy testified frequently before the Wyoming 
Legislature, advocating on behalf of Wyoming physicians and patients. 
She was known to introduce herself as a ``representative to the people 
who save Wyoming residents' lives,'' a job she took very seriously. She 
worked on many important provider issues. In particular, she was the 
leading voice supporting medical liability reform.
  Wendy was instrumental in Wyoming joining the organization now known 
as WWAMI. This acronym stands for the States it represents: Washington, 
Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. These States, working through the 
University of Washington Medical School, are part of a medical 
education consortium. This allows students in Wyoming to attend medical 
school at the University of Washington while participating in 
clerkships both in Wyoming and across the region. The program gives the 
students wide exposure to practicing medicine in rural communities. 
Wendy deserves credit for helping to bring this successful program to 
Wyoming, and she continues to serve on the University of Wyoming WWAMI 
curriculum review panel.
  In 2005, Wendy left the Medical Society. Recognizing her skills, 
Governor Dave Freudenthal asked Wendy to serve in his administration. 
In this role, Wendy championed initiatives to improve childcare, 
substance abuse services, and an innovative Medicaid pilot program 
known as Healthy Frontiers. Her talents for creating health policy were 
so respected that she also helped incoming Governor Matt Mead during 
his administration's transition. That Freudenthal was a Democrat and 
Mead a Republican made no difference. Wendy proved yet again that 
partisan politics mattered far less than honoring her commitment to the 
people of Wyoming.
  Wendy spent the last 10 years of her career working for Blue Cross 
Blue Shield of Wyoming. In the midst of widespread reform and changes, 
Wendy remained committed to improving the State's health care system. 
Her excellent communication skills and well-established knowledge of 
the industry benefited her immensely. She embraced her role as a 
liaison between the insurance agency and providers, often bridging gaps 
and fostering connection. She ends her career as a trusted adviser to 
all in the health care industry.
  In 2001, I was honored to join Wendy in the inaugural class of 
Leadership Wyoming, a program developed to inspire Wyoming's leaders 
through exploration and connection. Already an established leader in 
her own right, Wendy fully committed herself to the 8-month program and 
later became one of its most fervent supporters.
  Wendy also lent her talents and expertise to the boards of numerous 
nonprofit organizations. These included Peak Wellness Center, the 
Wyoming

[[Page S2411]]

Health Resources Network, the Wyoming Small Business Development 
Center, and CLIMB Wyoming. Her work with CLIMB Wyoming is of special 
significance. CLIMB is a unique nonprofit empowering single mothers to 
develop life and career skills. This holistic program helps these women 
start new careers and ultimately become self-sufficient.
  Wendy's accomplishments speak for themselves. She views herself as a 
humble public servant. Still, her impact on health care in Wyoming 
cannot be understated and will be recognized for years to come.
  Finally, I must conclude my remarks by recognizing the most important 
people in Wendy's life, her family. Her late husband Denny was a good 
friend and an outstanding journalist. His passing in 2012 was a 
tremendous loss. I know he is looking down on Wendy, their three 
children, Katie, Laura, and Tim, and granddaughter Lillian, with pride 
today.
  Wendy and I have been personal friends for nearly four decades. She 
represents the best of Wyoming in every sense of the word. One could 
not have a better friend than Wendy Curran.
  The people of Wyoming are fortunate to have Wendy Curran serve our 
State for so many years. She is a leader, mentor, and advocate to many, 
especially women working in health care. Bobbi and I are proud to call 
her our friend. Wendy will be missed in retirement, but I know she will 
continue to find meaningful ways to serve and to make Wyoming a better 
place for everyone. Thank you, Wendy, for your committed and dedicated 
service.

                          ____________________