[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 21, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO KURT NEWMAN, M.D.

 Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam President, I rise today to honor the 
career of Kurt Newman, M.D., president and chief executive officer of 
Children's National Hospital on the occasion of his retirement. For 
nearly four decades, Dr. Kurt Newman has made outstanding contributions 
to pediatric healthcare for children and families in Maryland, the 
greater DC metropolitan region, nationally, and internationally.
  Dr. Newman joined Children's National Hospital as a surgical fellow 
in 1984 and became surgeon-in-chief and senior vice president for 
Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Center for Surgical Care in 2003. Inspired by the 
bold vision of making surgery for children minimally invasive and pain-
free, Dr. Newman was instrumental in developing the vision for the 
Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children's 
National where he served as founding vice president in 2009.
  In 2011, Dr. Newman became president and chief executive officer of 
Children's National Hospital, a 323-bed pediatric acute care hospital. 
Under his exemplary leadership, Children's National has risen in the 
ranks of U.S. News & World Report to be consistently ranked among the 
very best children's hospitals in the Nation. Under Dr. Newman's 
leadership, Children's National led the critical COVID-19 response by 
opening one of the Nation's first drive-thru and walk-up COVID testing 
center for children, offering a critical resource for children in the 
region and beyond.
  Through a culture of patient-centered care, Dr. Newman has championed 
innovation in research, operations, and clinical care. He has 
strengthened and diversified the economy of the region by growing 
pediatric medical research at Children's National and the high-wage 
jobs that support that field by turning Children's National into one of 
the top-funded pediatric institutions in terms of National Institutes 
of Health funding. Additionally, Dr. Newman has worked tirelessly to 
draw more funding and attention to the youth mental health crisis 
through robust advocacy efforts.
  As the majority of Children's National Hospital's patient population 
hails from Maryland, Dr. Newman has continuously expanded care into our 
State, including the opening of Children's National Prince George's 
County on July 23, 2020. This facility, among more than 20 care 
locations throughout the State, makes it easier for Maryland patients 
and families to receive high-quality care. I want to personally thank 
Dr. Newman for keeping members of Congress, especially those of us in 
the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, informed about critical 
healthcare needs in our region and throughout the country.
  Children's National and its many supporters will celebrate Dr. Newman 
on his retirement on June 30, 2023, and Children's National will 
continue to build upon his legacy to provide high-quality pediatric 
healthcare across the Washington, DC, metropolitan region.
  As a nationally recognized leader in pediatric health, I commend Dr. 
Kurt Newman for his exemplary leadership and dedication to Children's 
National over nearly four decades. I congratulate him and wish him a 
well-earned, enjoyable, and fulfilling retirement.

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