[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2517-2518]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        HONORING DR. MARGARET DRICKAMER FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2001

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure, though a sad 
heart, that I pay tribute to an outstanding leader in geriatric 
medicine and a tremendous asset to the VA Connecticut Health System, 
Dr. Margaret Drickamer, as she retires from her service to the United 
States Veterans Administration.
  It has been nearly fifteen years since Dr. Drickamer first came to 
the VA Medical Center in West Haven, Connecticut as the Medical 
Director of the then Nursing Home Care Unit. In that time, Dr. 
Drickamer has been responsible for the complete reorganization of the 
department as well as the expansion of services available to 
Connecticut veterans--making a real difference in lives of many. Today, 
the section of Geriatrics and Extended Care is a multi-faceted program 
which provides a continuum of inpatient, outpatient and consultative 
services.
  When Dr. Drickamer first came to the VA, she was charged with the 
oversight of the Nursing Home Care Unit, an inpatient unit which 
provided long-term, residential nursing care for several dozen 
veterans. Under her leadership, this small unit has been transformed 
into a successful continuum of care, including an extended inpatient 
care unit, a geriatric day hospital program, an expanded geriatrics 
clinic, a homebased primary care program and a palliative care program. 
The multitude of services now offered by the Geriatrics and Extended 
Care section have had an extraordinary impact on thousands of 
Connecticut veterans.
  Dr. Drickamer's success can be attributed to her endless commitment 
to the patients of the Medical Center and the outstanding compassion 
she demonstrates each day. Each time I visit the Medical Center, I am 
told by patients how much they depend on Dr. Drickamer, both as their 
doctor and, more importantly, their friend. Equally important is her 
dedication

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to her staff. Their enthusiasm and generosity a reflection of the 
example she has set for over a decade. Led by her innovative vision, 
Dr. Drickamer has ensured that Connecticut's veterans are receiving 
quality care.
  In addition to her work at the VA Medical Center, Dr. Drickamer is 
widely recognized for her work as an educator in her field. Articles 
and abstracts published in the American Journal of Medicine, the New 
England Journal of Medicine, and the Annals of Internal Medicine are 
only a few of her many professional accomplishments. She has been 
honored with a myriad of awards and honors--a true testament to her 
unparalleled dedication.
  It is my great honor to join friends and colleagues in thanking Dr. 
Margaret Drickamer for her many years of service to the West Haven VA 
Medical Center and our community. Her innumerable efforts on behalf of 
our country's veterans have left an indelible mark on our nation. My 
best wishes to you on your future endeavors.

                          ____________________