[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18758]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF MS. EILEEN H. TOUGHILL, R.N., PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 18, 2003

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to laud the accomplishments of 
Ms. Eileen H. Toughill, R.N., Ph.D. Dr. Toughill holds the position of 
both Executive Director of the Community Health Center of Asbury Park 
and Director of Community Health at the Visiting Nurse Association of 
Central Jersey. Dr. Toughill recently received the VNA of Central 
Jersey Award for Professional Distinction, proving to be indicative of 
her compassion and dedication to her work.
  The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey is a nonprofit home 
health agency that promotes the ``restoration and healthcare'' of all 
members of the community. In her capacity as Director of Community 
Health for VNACJ, Dr. Toughill holds responsibility over the provision 
of health services to more than 65,000 vulnerable and underprivileged 
community-based residents. In addition to these duties, Dr. Eileen 
Toughill has taken on even greater responsibilities for the welfare of 
community residents following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 
2001 by establishing a comprehensive response to the chaos and stress 
that followed the attacks, including bereavement and trauma counseling.
  Other achievements that this exceptional woman has accomplished 
include an outreach program to assist residents in hotels, motels, 
boarding homes and shelters in Monmouth and Middlesex counties. Dr. 
Eileen Toughill pioneered the start up of two nurse practitioner-
managed primary care centers as well as helping to implement an AIDS 
education and prevention program in four correctional institutions.
  Dr. Toughill's crowning achievement came this Spring when through her 
hard work she saw the Community Health Center of Asbury Park 
successfully designated as a full-fledged Federally Qualified Health 
Center. This includes a renewable federal grant of $475,000, allowing 
the center to expand its current primary care services to include 
prenatal care and mental health, as well as increasing the number of 
patients the center can serve. Dr. Toughill's implementation of 
multiple programs as well as her perseverance in securing federal 
funding for her community's health center is admirable. Dr. Eileen 
Toughill's accomplishments are outstanding--they exemplify determined 
commitment to the ideals of healthcare for all, and demonstrate how one 
individual can actively make a difference.
  Mr. Speaker, on this day I rise up to acknowledge a truly remarkable 
individual and I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Dr. Eileen 
H. Toughill for the fine and important work that she provides to her 
community.

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