[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14921]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING VALLEY MEDICAL'S ALLIANCE WITH UW MEDICINE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Valley Medical 
Center, located in Renton, Washington, for being named one of the Best 
Hospitals in the Puget Sound by U.S. News & World Report. The hospital 
is also celebrating the one-year anniversary of Valley Medical Center's 
alliance with University of Washington Medicine. The alliance has 
increased the availability and quality healthcare to the Puget Sound 
region.
  Since partnering with UW Medicine, Valley Medical Center has 
increased services and clinical expertise for residents by expanding 
coverage in neurological and thoracic surgery. Valley Medical Center 
has also expanded education and training programs. These programs 
create better access to primary care and other forms of specialized 
care when needed. The Best Hospitals ranking also honored Valley 
Medical Center for high performance in orthopedics, diabetes, and 
endocrinology.
  Valley Medical Center hopes to bring more expansion in clinical areas 
as their alliance with UW Medicine grows. The alliance most importantly 
hopes to reduce the overall cost of healthcare and make access to care 
readily available. Since the recent enactment of healthcare reform, 
Valley Medical Center's clinics and UW Medicine's neighboring clinics 
have already improved their accessibility by having world class 
specialists readily available.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize the 
accomplishments of Valley Medical Center and the one-year anniversary 
of Valley Medical Center's alliance with UW Medicine. I am confident 
that the alliance will strengthen and continue to provide remarkable 
care to the community for years to come.

                          ____________________