[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 3494] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]ST. MARY MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL HEALTH CARE ______ HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS of washington in the house of representatives Thursday, March 6, 2008 Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. Mary Medical Center for recently being named among the top 1 percent of hospitals in the Nation. St. Mary is one of only 49 hospitals in the Nation to be recognized with the Premier-Care Science Select Practice National Quality Award. The award is given to those facilities with the best patient outcomes and operating efficiency. St. Mary Medical Center, located in Walla Walla, WA, was founded in 1880 by the Sisters of Providence. At the time, it was the first non- military hospital in Washington State east of the Cascades. Today, the hospital continues its 120 year commitment to providing excellent acute care, attracting patients from throughout the region. This is not the first time St. Mary Medical Center has been recognized as a top performer. In 2007, the hospital was named among the top 100 hospitals in the Nation by 2 independent research companies. The national attention St. Mary Medical Center has received is a testament to the exceptional attention and care they give to each patient. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend St. Mary Medical Center for setting the standard for clinical excellence, and for providing excellent health care to the Walla Walla community. I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating the doctors and employees of St. Mary Medical Center on this great achievement. ____________________