[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6284]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



IN SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRELANDS COMMUNITY 
                        HOSPITAL, SANDUSKY, OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2001

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, as Sandusky's first hospital, Good 
Samaritan Hospital, which joined with Sandusky Memorial Hospital in 
1985 to create Firelands Community Hospital, has cared for generations 
of Sandusky area families. It gives me great pleasure today to 
commemorate the hospital's 125th anniversary and its long tradition of 
providing quality health care to the community.
  The hospital can trace its roots to 1876, when Wilborforce Farr, the 
minister of Grace Church, Sandusky, and other community leaders founded 
Good Samaritan Hospital, a place where everyone could receive health 
care, regardless of their financial or social situation. For the past 
125 years, the hospital has played a vital role in the lives of 
Sandusky area residents.
  In 1985, Firelands Community Hospital was established through the 
union of Good Samaritan and Sandusky Memorial Hospitals. At the time 
the merger of these two institutions was considered a bold, but 
necessary move. The federal government's push to lower health care 
costs was forcing hospitals to reconsider how they did business. Those 
who did not adapt to the changing health care climate would suffer 
serious financial trouble.
  Although the decision to consolidate was not an easy one, the Board 
of Trustees and Professional Staffs of both hospitals had the foresight 
and initiative to put the needs of the community first. Their efforts 
provided the foundation for Firelands Community Hospital's role as one 
of the area's leading comprehensive health care systems.
  Today, Firelands Community Hospital continues to provide new and 
innovative services and programs to meet the needs of the Sandusky area 
community. More than 7000 inpatients and 250,000 inpatients are served 
annually at four Sandusky facilities. In recent surveys, Firelands has 
been rated the best in Erie County for quality of physician care, 
personal care and attention, most modern technology, physical 
environment and range of services.
  For the past one hundred twenty-five years Sandusky, area residents 
have entrusted their health care needs to Firelands Community Hospital, 
and I am confident they will continue to do so for generations to come.

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