[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 12043]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I recognize St. Francis Medical 
Center on a special occasion.
  This week, St. Francis Medical Center celebrates its 100th 
anniversary. Founded in Monroe, LA, in 1913 by six Franciscan Sisters 
fulfilling a call to serve others through Jesus Christ's healing 
ministry, St. Francis Medical Center has grown from a humble 75-
patient-bed facility to a 352-bed community hospital and the largest in 
Northeast Louisiana.
  In fulfilling the vision of St. Francis of Assisi that all life is a 
gift from God, the Sisters of Saint Francis have continued to serve 
others with compassion and care, without hesitation, to improve health 
and save lives to those most in need.
  The continued dedication of the Sisters, doctors, and staff has led 
to a superior level of health care in our State and has earned the 
facility 25 accreditations and awards. In 2012 and 2011, St. Francis 
Medical Center was honored as a Best Employer for Healthy Lifestyles by 
the National Business Group on Health's Institute on Innovation. Also, 
U.S. News and World Report rated St. Francis as one of the best 
hospitals in Louisiana.
  St. Francis Medical Center has been a cornerstone of the medical 
community of Northeast Louisiana, and it is my honor to recognize their 
100th anniversary as they prepare to enter their second century of 
service.

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