[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15043-15044]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE GRAND JUNCTION VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 30, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I would like 
to pay tribute to the Grand Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center 
for receiving the 2001 President's Quality Award that highlights 
continued improvement and management of high caliber care to veterans 
who so diligently served our Nation.
  This facility serves all veterans in an area of 50,000 square miles 
and 17 counties in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. With the 
overarching goal of being ``the preferred health

[[Page 15044]]

care system for all veterans,'' the Medical Center constantly strives 
to improve itself and help those in need of their services. The 
President's Quality Award highlights the Center's integration of their 
innovative management techniques, outstanding dedication to customer 
service and dynamic performance that will enhance the Center's 
capabilities in the new century. The Grand Junction Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center has implemented a ``virtual circle of care'' policy that 
involves every patient, and this program has inspired similar programs 
around the country. Not satisfied with just internal improvements, the 
Center has added new community outreach efforts that seek to build upon 
their primary, specialty and extended care. All of these continued 
efforts have resulted in consistently higher scores in patient care and 
satisfaction from the Department of Veterans Affairs and from external 
agencies and hospitals.
  The Grand Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center truly is an 
exemplary model of the care that our distinguished veterans deserve. 
While providing the highest care and improving their overall 
performance with an emphasis on customer satisfaction, the Center has 
worked very hard to become one of the finest facilities in the Nation. 
The invaluable services that Grand Junction Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center provides truly deserve the recognition of this body.

                          ____________________