[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 18873-18874] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]A TRIBUTE TO ANN-MARIE K. FOSTER ______ HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS of new york in the house of representatives Thursday, December 2, 2010 Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ann-Marie K. Foster. Ann-Marie Karlene Goddard Foster was born to serve and help others. Born in Brooklyn, New York on June 22, 1969, she is the eldest of three children born to the late Marva Williams. After losing her mother to gun violence at the tender age of eight years old, Ann-Marie's desire to help others in her community began to take root. Ms. Foster was raised by her loving grandmother, Josephine Ellis, and her late grandfather, Clayton Ellis; her grandparents instilled in her that a solid education was the key to endless opportunities, and a mantra such as ``what is in your head can't nobody take it away from you.'' She graduated at the age of 16 with a Regents diploma from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1986. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Utica College of Syracuse University in 1990 with intentions of serving in the health care community. [[Page 18874]] Upon her return to Brooklyn, her first employment opportunity was for the Health Insurance Plan (HIP) of New York working as a Medical Assistant. During her time at HIP serving in the Women's Health Division, she learned early the power of engaging women in caring for their health which ultimately could shape the health outcomes of the entire family. It was also during this time that she saw the necessity to have health care providers who could relate to a vulnerable population--those who often put other priorities ahead of their own health--women. As the HIV epidemic and the spread of STDs began to take its toll on the African American community, being able to communicate without judgment was the key to the center's success. In 1991, she joined the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation at Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York and began a journey that would span 19 years in increasing administrative capacities. One of her most rewarding times was spent at Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn where she met her mentor who would guide her career and allow her to spread her administrative wings. The seasoning of her experience at Woodhull prepared her for her most challenging opportunity to date. In June 2009, she was recruited to lead the oldest public hospital psychiatric program at Bellevue Hospital Center. Currently, Ms. Foster is the Senior Associate Executive Director of the Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry departments, which includes a 339 bed inpatient unit and multiple mental health ambulatory care services. She is a member of the American College of Health Care Executives and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Ms. Foster is most proud of being the mother of two beautiful children, Maya, 13 and Myles, 9; both of whom attend independent schools in NYC. Ms. Foster finds time to be a class representative at her daughters' school, serve in the Parents' Association, mentor young women at the Lenox Road Baptist Church, where she is a member, and participate in community service projects. She continues to live in Brooklyn with her husband of fifteen years, Ray Foster, and her children. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the achievements of Ann-Marie K. Foster. ____________________