Congratulating Dr. Beth Ripley on Receiving the 2020 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal in Science and Environment

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Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to rise to congratulate Beth Ripley, M.D., Ph.D. on being the recipient of the 2020 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal in the Science and Environment category.

Dr. Beth Ripley is an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Washington and the Director of the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) 3D Printing Network in Puget Sound. She saw potential in this emerging technology back in 2017, and through her innovative techniques, she has revolutionized health care at the VHA. Dr. Ripley prints 3D models of parts of people's bodies from kidneys to hip joints to hearts.

These 3D models allow doctors to provide veterans with the best possible health care and have resulted in more efficient and effective surgeries by saving valuable time and minimizing the potential for mistakes. Doctors can also show models to their patients to give them a better understanding of the procedure they're going to undergo. In some cases, these models have even shown surgery wouldn't be the best course of action.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic Dr. Ripley made the impossible possible and began printing personal protective equipment for staff and veterans. She has even started 3D printing parts needed for life-saving ventilators. Dr. Ripley truly embodies what it means to be a civil servant and the Puget Sound VHA is incredibly lucky to have somebody with the passion and innovation she does.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to congratulate Dr. Beth Ripley on receiving this well-deserved award and I thank her for dedicating her career to improving health care for our veterans.

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