[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 33 (Friday, February 18, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E161-E162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE OUTSTANDING CAREER OF JANE BAIRD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 18, 2022

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
distinguished career of Jane Baird, of Haddam, Connecticut. As the 
Senior Director of External Affairs, Jane celebrated a major milestone 
on January 14th, 2022, when she officially reached 20 years of 
dedicated employment and leadership with Connecticut Children's Medical 
Center. By coordinating relationships between the CCMC and its 
partners, Jane has truly proved her devotion to the health and welfare 
of Connecticut's children, ensuring a bright and healthy future for 
countless youth throughout the state.
  Before the outset of her career with Connecticut Children's Medical 
Center, Jane began with her studies at Grinnell College, graduating in 
1988 with a bachelor's degree in biology. Upon graduating, Jane went on 
to study at Indiana University, graduating with a master's in public 
administration in 1993. Equipped with this robust education, Jane 
initially moved to and worked in Vermont as the Managed Care 
Administrator of the Office of Vermont Health Access for over 4 years. 
Jane then moved to the Vermont Division of Health Care Administration 
to be the Director of Quality Assurance and Consumer Protection, 
keeping to her tireless life-mission of ensuring those around her 
receive proper medical care.
  In 2002, the Second District of Connecticut was lucky when Jane and 
her family discovered the area for their new home. Upon moving to the 
small town of Haddam, Jane launched her impactful career with CCMC as 
the Director of Government Relations. In this role, Jane was 
responsible for the maintenance of legislative relationships on behalf 
of the medical center, acting as a conduit between the medical staff at 
CCMC and the world of public policy. Jane approached this role with 
great passion, leading advocacy efforts with a wide variety of partners 
to promote healthcare policies that advance the growth and health of 
families and their children. Throughout her tenure, Jane has been an 
extraordinary force in the realm of Medicaid, injury prevention, and 
national health reform. Without Jane's leadership, I am sure that CCMC 
would not have had such an influential impact on the well-being of 
children in Connecticut and across the country.
  In recognition of her hard-earned successes, Jane was promoted in 
2016 to her current title of Senior Director of External Relations. 
Under this expanded leadership position, Jane has been instilled with a 
deeper connection to the promotion of healthy families and communities, 
taking up even greater, more creative efforts of advocacy. In doing so, 
she has successfully and dutifully managed communications with the 
medical center's many affiliates, including Hartford Public Schools and 
local YMCAs.
  Since 2004, Jane has also been an active member of the Board of 
Directors at Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance in Hartford. 
A medium of cooperation between CCMC, Hartford Hospital, and Trinity 
College, the Alliance continues to serve a devoted mission toward 
improving the lives of people in South Central Hartford. In 2011, Jane 
was appointed Chairwoman to the Alliance as a result of her commitment 
to and advancement of the organization's core mission.
  Madam Speaker, Jane's advocacy for children--characterized by 
understanding, patience, and perseverance--is a practice that I am 
grateful to represent in Connecticut's Second District. Throughout her 
20 years of advocacy with Connecticut Children's Medical Center, and 
the years of work before that in Vermont, Jane has displayed how 
providing care to others involves more than what we often think of. 
Even after 20-plus years in the field, Jane's devotion to the children 
is as tireless as ever, a mark of true devotion for helping others in 
the world. For her unparalleled altruistic nature, I ask my colleagues 
in the House to join me in honoring Jane Baird, an unrelenting advocate 
and inspiring leader, setting her name, character and continued work 
further into stone.

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