[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8196]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               BENEWAH MEDICAL AND WELLNESS CENTER AWARD

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, on May 3, 2005, the Benewah Medical 
and Wellness Center operated by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho will 
be presented with the 2005 Johnson & Johnson Community Health Care 
Leadership Award. This award is presented to one facility nationwide 
that has set itself apart from others in quality and innovation in 
community health care. The center has distinguished itself over the 
years in superior service to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, the community of 
Plummer, ID, and the medically underserved and indigent in the region. 
Theirs is a story of successful partnership and innovation over the 
course of many years. Fifteen years ago, the center collaborated with 
the city of Plummer and greatly expanded the scope and reach of its 
service. In addition to acute and preventive health care found at other 
medical centers, the many programs offered by the center make it a 
truly comprehensive care institution. These programs include diabetes 
and cardiovascular disease prevention and education and afterschool and 
mentoring programs for youth. Furthermore, the center has responded to 
the cultural sensitivities of the community by employing Native and 
non-Native staff members. Staff diversity increases the effectiveness 
of any healthcare institution, a fact which the center has recognized 
and incorporated into their operating procedures. In January 2004, I 
had the opportunity to visit the center and was impressed at the level 
of technology this collaborative effort had been able to bring to this 
rural community.
  I commend the Benewah Medical and Wellness Center on its tremendous 
achievement in the overall community healthcare and wellness. I look 
forward to hearing of future successes.

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