[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9594]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO EVA COOPER

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2004

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Eva Cooper in recognition 
of her nursing services to the Brooklyn community.
  Eva Cooper has worked at Brooklyn Jewish Hospital and Interfaith 
Medical Center for over 37 years. Eva is currently the Nurse Manager of 
four Ambulatory Care sites and the PCAP (Prenatal Care Assistance 
Program) Coordinator for the Medical Center. She began her career in 
health care as a Licensed Practical Nurse on a busy 40-bed surgical 
unit. Eva would always make every effort to give the highest level of 
patient care. On several occasions, when semi-private rooms were 
available some patients preferred to remain on the unit, because they 
were so pleased with the care they were given.
  Upon receiving her diploma from the Brooklyn Jewish School of 
Nursing, Eva began working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as a 
Staff Nurse. During her tenure on the unit she was promoted to 
Assistant Head Nurse in 1988 and to Manager in 1992. Eva was the 
Chairperson of the Baby Alumni Celebration for 3 years, which focused 
on the accomplishments of the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) 
graduates. When the St. Johns Episcopal Hospital and Brooklyn Jewish 
Hospital merged in 1983, Eva organized the smooth transition of the 
NICU.
  In 1995, Eva was offered an opportunity to become the Nurse Manager 
of Ambulatory Care Services of the hospital-based Pediatric and OB/GYN 
Clinic and two community-based clinic sites. Eva regularly participates 
in community health fairs, stressing the importance of regular visits 
to the doctor, balanced nutrition and regular exercise. She spearheads 
the Reach Out and Read Program at Interfaith Medical Center. The Reach 
Out and Read Program is a national literacy program that advocates the 
distribution of books to all children, ages 6 months to 5 years, at 
each well-child visit. She organizes many events including Easter 
basket celebrations, Halloween parties and Christmas parties.
  As the PCAP Coordinator, Eva advocates for the prenatal patients of 
Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights. The program provides insurance 
coverage for women, who are uninsured or underinsured, during their 
pregnancy and post-partum visits. Eva also organizes the Ambulatory 
Care Services quarterly Prenatal Open House Tours, which allows 
patients to view the Maternal Child Unit and introduces the staff 
responsible for patient care.
  Eva has been recognized for her leadership abilities and unselfish 
commitment to patient care on numerous occasions: Nurse of the Year--
1988, IMC Women's Auxiliary Recognition Award--1998, and Manager of the 
Year--2002. She is a member of several community organizations 
including Brooklyn Perinatal Network, Caribbean Women's Association and 
the Fulton Street Merchant's Association.
  Eva earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Medgar Evers 
College, and a Masters Degree in Health Services Administration from 
Central Michigan University. Eva currently attends Self-Realization 
Fellowship Church in New York.
  Mr. Speaker, Eva Cooper has dedicated her life to providing quality 
nursing services to the people of Brooklyn. As such, she is more than 
worthy of receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to 
join me in honoring this truly remarkable person.

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