[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15053]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL FOR ITS 14TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN 
   TOPPING U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT'S RANKING OF AMERICA'S HOSPITALS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 9, 2004

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise the 14th consecutive year that the 
Johns Hopkins Hospital has topped U.S. News & World Report's 
assessments of American hospitals. This distinction places them in the 
company of well-respected hospitals such as the Mayo Clinic and 
Massachusetts General Hospital.
   Located in my district in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins 
Hospital ranks in the top ten for 16 out of the 17 specialty categories 
including: #1 in Gynecology, Otolaryngology and Urology; #2 in 
Geriatrics, Kidney Disease, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology and 
Rheumatology; #3 in Cancer, Digestive Disorders, Hormonal Disorders, 
Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Respiratory Disorders; and #4 in Heart/Heart 
Surgery and Orthopedics.
  Time and time again Johns Hopkins has been noted as one of the 
country's best hospitals, boasting some of the world's most renowned 
surgeons, notably my friend, Dr. Ben Carson--so it is no surprise that 
Hopkins has once again received this great distinction.
  Though these rankings bode well for the institution, the true 
recipients of these accolades are the doctors, nurses and staff. These 
people commit their time and energy to the work of the Hospital and the 
patients, and it is their professional excellence, like the 2003 Nobel 
Prize in Chemistry (won by Peter Age), for the first triple-swap kidney 
transplant and other similar distinctions, that encouraged this 
collective recognition of Johns Hopkins Hospital.
  Mr. Speaker, this recognition represents Johns Hopkins Hospital's 
commendable strides to improve development and to encourage the most 
conducive working environments. In 2003, the Hospital increased its 
infrastructure development as they moved scientists into a $140 million 
research building-the new front door to the School of Medicine-and 
broke ground on a second Cancer Research Building. Also, construction 
commenced on infrastructure for two patient care towers at The Johns 
Hopkins Hospital and at the Howard County General Hospital to open 
larger inpatient operating rooms, while the suburban outpatient 
facilities continue to expand.
  In addition to this development, Hopkins Hospital has continually 
supported excellence in global education and healthcare--evident in the 
Hospital's 2003 opening of its first overseas division in Singapore 
where twelve full-time faculty members will lead training and research 
on diseases endemic to Southeast Asia.
  Consistent with its desire to curb pandemic crisis abroad, Hopkins 
Medical has taken an active stance against the spread of disease and 
infection at home with their fight against bioterrorism. On the 
national front, with major federal grants, Hopkins' teams will apply 
lessons learned on-site to enhance safety in 55 Michigan hospital 
intensive care units and to develop nationwide hospital plans.
  It is a wonderful moment when the nation recognizes the outstanding 
achievements of an institution that helps so many people here in 
America and abroad. However, my pride is not based on this recognition 
alone. Instead, it is based on the knowledge that my constituents and 
fellow citizens achieved this honor through their constant and 
estimable work. Work, which was dedicated not with the desire to 
receive an award, but with the intent to make a genuine difference.

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