[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25506-25507]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE TO RALPH CERNY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 6, 2004

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who has 
made remarkable contributions to the health of the people of northern 
Michigan. Ralph Cerny is retiring from his position as CEO of the 
Munson Medical Center in Traverse City on December 31st, closing a long 
career dedicated to providing his community with quality health care. 
Mr. Cerny's 38 years as a hospital administrator and community leader 
serve as a shining example of his profession.
  In 1964, Ralph Cerny graduated from Cornell University with a 
Bachelor's Degree in Economics. The year before, he actually had his 
first experience at Munson Medical Center, working as a summer intern. 
From Cornell University, Ralph went on to study Hospital Administration 
at the University of Michigan, where he not only earned a Master's 
degree, but also met his wife, Maureen.
  After graduating from U of M in 1966, Ralph began his career as an 
Associate Administrator at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 
Omaha. He remained there for seven years, but in 1973, he returned to 
Michigan as the CEO of the Memorial Medical Center of West Michigan in 
Ludington.
  In 1985, the long-time CEO of Munson Medical Center, Jack Bay, asked 
Ralph to move north and join Munson as Chief Operating Officer. He 
accepted, and began a 19 year tenure that saw Munson grow into a 
nationally-recognized hospital and health care provider at the center 
of a regional network of community-based hospitals.
  In his eight years as COO, and eleven years as CEO, Munson Medical 
Center has

[[Page 25507]]

created a cardiovascular program that has been recognized on four 
occasions for superior clinical and operational performance; opened a 
new South Tower for patient care, opened a new ambulatory surgery 
center; and initiated an air ambulance service. This excellence has not 
gone unnoticed either. Munson received the National Quality Health Care 
Award in 2000 and was named one of the Nation's Top 100 hospitals six 
times.
  In short, Mr. Speaker, Ralph's leadership has had a lasting impact on 
the quality of care at Munson Medical Center, and on the quality of 
life in the Grand Traverse Region. I worked closely with Ralph Cerny 
and the Munson Medical family, and I have seen firsthand his dedication 
to his work and to his community.
  While Ralph will be missed at Munson, he has more than earned this 
retirement. As much as he has given to his career, Ralph has always had 
time for his family, and I know he looks forward to spending more time 
with his wife Maureen, their three sons Tim, Tyler, and Ryan, and their 
five grandchildren. I also suspect he will spend more time indulging in 
two of his favorite pastimes: golf and downhill skiing.
  Mr. Speaker, Ralph Cerny's commitment to his family, his community, 
health care, and Munson Medical Center serves as an example to all of 
us. I ask the House to join me in honoring him, thanking him for his 
service, and wishing him well in his retirement.

                          ____________________