[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18974]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF JERRY FITZGERALD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2007

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my dear 
friend Jerry Fitzgerald, on the occasion of his retirement from Oakwood 
Healthcare System after 41 dignified years of service.
  A Native Detroiter, Jerry received a Bachelor of Science Degree from 
the University of Detroit and went on to attain a Master's Degree in 
Hospital Administration from the University of Michigan. He is also an 
American College of Healthcare Executives, ACHE, Fellow, as well as an 
adjunct instructor for the University of Michigan's Program in Health 
Care Administration.
  Jerry began his work at Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center as the 
Assistant Director in 1966. In 1980, he was named the President and CEO 
and held that position until his sage leadership led to the successful 
union with the People's Community Hospital Authority to form the doubly 
large Oakwood Healthcare System. The new system immediately established 
itself as the premier healthcare provider in southeastern and western 
Wayne County. Under Jerry's guidance Oakwood has earned the reputation 
as one of the top 100 cardiac hospitals in the Nation for 7 out of the 
past 8 years, serving over one million residents.
  Jerry's vision for exceptional service and excellent healthcare has 
fueled a myriad of initiatives and improvements, all of which have 
established Oakwood's outstanding status. His vision and efforts have 
been met with extensive gratitude and support from the community, as he 
is the recipient of the American College of Healthcare Executives 
Senior Healthcare Leadership Regent's Award, the Sy Gottlieb Award from 
the Greater Detroit Area Health Council, the Universal Partnership 
Award from the American Arab Chamber of Commerce and the Lawrence A. 
Hill Award of Excellence from the University of Michigan.
  Although this marks the closing of one chapter in Jerry's career, it 
does not signal the end of Jerry's commitment to the community, as he 
currently serves as the chairman of the Michigan Health & Hospital 
Association, MHA, Board of Trustees and is actively involved in 
American Hospital Association. He holds several board membership 
positions throughout the Greater Detroit Area including the Detroit 
Regional Chamber, the Detroit Economic Club, the Dearborn Community 
Fund Board, the Downriver Community Advisory Board, Michigan Colleges 
Foundation Board of Trustees, the University of Detroit Mercy College 
of Health Professions Advisory, and the Detroit Sacred Heart Major 
Seminary Foundation.
  Jerry's years of service have been essential in shaping the 
healthcare system of the Greater Detroit Area and southeast Michigan. I 
ask that my colleagues rise and join me in wishing Jerry all the best 
in a happy, long and active retirement.

                          ____________________