[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING TERESITA BATAYOLA, 17-YEAR PRESIDENT AND CEO OF 
                INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 17, 2023

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Teresita 
Batayola for her many years of service for International Community 
Health Services and to congratulate her on her retirement as ICHS 
President and CEO.
  Teresita guided ICHS from only two neighborhood clinics to a regional 
health care network with eleven service sites. She also led ICHS 
through their COVID-19 pandemic response, navigating the implementation 
of testing sites and telehealth as well as vaccination. Her work has 
been instrumental in shaping ICHS into an organization that serves over 
27,000 patients. Additionally, Teresita's community service is not 
limited to her work for ICHS. She has served as the Aging in PACE 
Washington Board President, was appointed by President Biden to the 
President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, 
and Pacific Islanders, and has brought together local leaders to push 
back against anti-Asian hatred.
  My staff and I have had the privilege of working with Teresita on 
many occasions. I recently joined Teresita for a tour of ICHS's 
International District Medical and Dental Clinic to see and discuss the 
work she and ICHS are doing for health care access and equity. I have 
also worked with Teresita to secure Community Project Funding for the 
AiPACE Adult Day Center and Clinic in Beacon Hill. As a leader and 
advocate for her community about healthcare and addressing social 
determinants of health, Teresita's work has benefited many, especially 
in refugee and immigrant communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Teresita Batayola for her career expanding 
healthcare access to diverse communities, and I wish her a happy 
retirement.

                          ____________________