[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26058]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DICK TSCHIDER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 15, 2005

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to recognize the 
remarkable career of one of the all-time leaders in North Dakota 
healthcare.
  Dick Tschider, CEO of the St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, 
North Dakota, for the past 29 years, is retiring from this position. He 
has devoted his entire career to this outstanding facility, joining it 
right out of college, 45 years ago.
  We all know about the revolution in health care that has occurred 
during the last four and a half decades. Under Dick Tschider's 
leadership, St. Alexius has grown dramatically during this period, and 
is now recognized throughout the region as one of the premier multi-
specialty hospitals in the area.
  In fact, when ranked in terms of quality of care and patient safety, 
it is one of the top 100 hospitals in the entire country. Several 
aspects of St. Alexius care--notably cardiac care--are exceptional, as 
determined by the competitive analysis of external reviewers.
  It has been my personal and professional privilege to know Dick and 
work closely with him during the last 20 years as I served as North 
Dakota's Insurance Commissioner and Congressman. Dick was an 
exceptional football player and he would throw himself into healthcare 
reimbursement issues with the zeal and intensity he formerly used 
against gridiron opponents.
  During the years of our working relationship, sometimes we agreed, 
sometimes we didn't, but we maintained a constructive and productive 
association throughout all of these years. This relationship led to a 
very significant achievement for North Dakota in the Medicare 
Modernization Act passed 2 years ago. Dick and other leading members of 
the medical community convincingly documented the threat discounted 
Medicare reimbursements held for healthcare--especially in North 
Dakota. Senator Conrad, Senator Dorgan and I fought to get an equitable 
reimbursement adjustment in the Medicare Modernization Act and then 
worked feverishly to pass the bill which made it by the slimmest 
margins.
  Dick Tschider is an energetic and compassionate man of considerable 
abilities. Western North Dakota has been fortunate to have someone of 
his talent and commitment advancing healthcare in our region. I have 
been fortunate to have him as a friend.
  The career of Dick Tschider is an example of leadership and 
achievement in service to others. I wish him the best in retirement.

                          ____________________