[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING DR. JOHN RUGGE AS THE 34TH ANNUAL J. WALTER JUCKETT AWARD 
                                HONOREE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2023

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Dr. 
John Rugge, this year's recipient of the Annual J. Walter Juckett 
Community Service Award. Dr. Rugge is the founder of Hudson Headwaters 
Health Network, a community of 21 health centers dedicated to providing 
medical services to communities across Upstate New York and the North 
Country.
  Dr. Rugge began work as a supervising physician at the Glens Falls 
Hospital in 1974. He originally intended to stay at the post for only 
six months, but when he noticed the need for consistent medical care in 
many North Country communities, he realized he had found his life's 
calling. That year, he established the Hudson Headwaters Health 
Network, and today, the network provides medical services to over 
150,000 patients in Northeastern New York.
  Under Dr. Rugge's dutiful leadership, Hudson Headwaters quickly 
became an example for other medical providers. Over the course of his 
career, he partnered with policymakers from over 40 different 
government advisory panels, task forces, and councils to address how 
best to improve the quality of healthcare available to underserved 
communities across the country.
  Dr. Rugge's dedication to his community and passion for providing 
accessible medical care have made him a pillar of Upstate New York. On 
behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, it is my honor to 
celebrate the 34th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award 
recipient, Dr. John Rugge.

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