[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14925]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO KEN RIVERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
Riverside County are exceptional. Southwest Riverside has been 
fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly 
and unselfishly give their time and talent and make their communities a 
better place to live and work. Ken Rivers is one of these individuals. 
On September 27, 2012, Ken will be honored as the ``Citizen of the 
Year'' at the Boy Scouts of America--Tahquitz District Distinguished 
Citizens Dinner.
  Ken's background encompasses over 25 years of executive healthcare 
administration. While earning his master's degrees at the University of 
La Verne, he became a chief operating officer of a Southern California 
hospital at the young age of 23.
  Prior to joining Southwest Healthcare hospitals, he served as the 
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at the Corona Regional 
Medical Center in my hometown of Corona. He joined Southwest Healthcare 
System in 2009, where he has served as the Chief Executive Officer/
Managing Director. Southwest Healthcare System operates Inland Valley 
Medical Center in Wildomar and Rancho Springs Medical Center in 
Murrieta and Temecula Valley Day Surgery in Murrieta. Just recently, he 
joined CHA Health System in Los Angeles which will allow him to further 
his career at the international level of healthcare.
  Ken's accomplishments at Southwest Healthcare System have reflected 
his attitude of treating patients like family. Along with a dedicated 
leadership team, physicians and the entire hospital staff, Ken directed 
the opening of the $91 million expansions to both hospitals which 
include new emergency departments featuring more than 70 bays, expanded 
the Intensive Care Unit at Inland Valley by doubling bed capacity, and 
the largest Women's Center in the entire region located at Rancho 
Springs. His leadership was instrumental in passing one of the largest 
state and federal surveys. He is currently developing the region's 
first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Rancho Springs and Cardiac 
Services at Inland Valley.
  It is hard to imagine that Ken would have any free time on his hands 
yet he always found time for his community. A Paul Harris Fellow and 
Rotarian, Ken serves with many philanthropic and healthcare 
organizations including Chairman for the Riverside County Chapter of 
the American Red Cross. He also enjoys spending time with his two 
children, traveling, and playing golf.
  In light of all Ken has done for Southwest Riverside County, the Boy 
Scouts of America--Tahquitz District named Ken their Citizen of the 
Year. Ken's tireless passion for community service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of the community of the Inland Empire. He 
has been the heart and soul of many community organizations and events 
and I am proud to call him a fellow community member, American and 
friend. I know that many community members are grateful for his service 
and salute him as he receives this prestigious award.

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