[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18183]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MR. PAT NEFF GRONER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Groner's roots trace back to 
Marshall, Texas, where he was the youngest of five siblings. He 
attended the College of Marshall and graduated from Baylor University. 
He then joined the United States Marine Corps, and while stationed in 
Vermont, he met his wife Louise, or as Mr. Groner proclaimed ``the 
prettiest girl in Vermont''. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. Groner 
served with honor and distinction as a pilot in the South Pacific 
Theatre during World War II. Upon his return, Mr. Groner joined the 
Vermont Air National Guard and interned at a Vermont hospital. As a 
boy, Mr. Groner's father instilled in him the belief that health care 
is a profession closely connected with faith, and in addition to his 
passion for flying, his care for others and faith in God never faded.
  When Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida was in need of 
leadership, Pat Groner answered the call, and, along with his wife and 
their daughter Jodee, moved to Florida. As CEO of Baptist Healthcare, 
Mr. Groner implemented numerous programs that are now standard 
operating procedure in hospitals across the country. Baptist Hospital 
had the first post-operative recovery room in Florida and was one of 
the first hospitals in the nation to have an intensive coronary care 
unit, an outpatient surgical care unit, and Life Flight. During his 
time at Baptist, Mr. Groner also envisioned a place where seniors could 
enjoy the advantages of a resort lifestyle coupled with quality 
amenities, services, and health care and the perfect location. Despite 
working full-time as CEO, Mr. Groner was dedicated to bringing this 
vision to fruition, and under his leadership, the Pensacola retirement 
community, Azalea Trace, opened in 1980. Today, it remains a first-
class and well-respected adult retirement community.
  In addition to his leadership in the American Hospital Association, 
the Southeastern Hospital Conference, and the American College of 
Healthcare Executives, Mr. Groner was co-founder and president of the 
Hospital Research and Development Institute, co-founder of the 
Voluntary Hospitals of America, Vice-President and Treasurer of Multi-
Hospital Insurance Group, and long-time board member for Blue Cross-
Blue Shield of Florida. Outside of his contributions the health care 
profession, Mr. Groner had an unwavering commitment to serve his 
community through the March of Dimes, YMCA, Community Mental Health 
Center, Pensacola Rotary Club, Action 76 Taskforce on Higher Education, 
Fiesta of Five Flags, and various United Fund organizations. Mr. Groner 
also had a special interest in education and the State university 
system, where he served as a member of the Florida Board of Regents.
  Mr. Groner's contributions to healthcare and the Northwest Florida 
community are exemplified by the copious honors and awards bestowed on 
him. Among his many honors, Mr. Groner was inducted into the Health 
Care Hall of Fame by the American College of Health Care Executives. He 
was also awarded the Kiwanis Man of the Year Award, Pensacola Junior 
Chamber of Commerce Good Government Award, Pensacola Chamber of 
Commerce Pioneer Award, Freedom Foundation George Washington Medal, and 
Liberty Bell Award.
  There is no question that in his 33 year career as CEO and his many 
years serving our community, Mr. Groner has made an everlasting impact 
on Northwest Florida and on the health care profession. To some, Mr. 
Groner will be remembered as courageous pilot who answered the call of 
duty during one of our nation's most trying times or as pilot of the 
Piper Twin Commanche, Poppa Golf that he flew with his son and frequent 
co-pilot, Chip; to others, he will be remembered for his contributions 
to the health care industry; and to his family, he will be remembered 
as a man devoted to his faith and a loving husband, father, 
grandfather, and great-grandfather.
  Northwest Florida mourns the loss of a great man, and Mr. Groner's 
contributions and service to the community and this great nation will 
not be forgotten. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, 
I am privileged to honor the exemplary life of Mr. Pat Neff Groner. My 
wife Vicki and I offer our prayers to Louise, Jodee, Chip, and their 
entire family. He will be truly missed by all.

                          ____________________