Recognizing Teresita Batayola, 17-Year President and Ceo of International Community Health Services

Floor Speech

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Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Teresita Batayola for her many years of service for International Community Health Services and to congratulate her on her retirement as ICHS President and CEO.

Teresita guided ICHS from only two neighborhood clinics to a regional health care network with eleven service sites. She also led ICHS through their COVID-19 pandemic response, navigating the implementation of testing sites and telehealth as well as vaccination. Her work has been instrumental in shaping ICHS into an organization that serves over 27,000 patients. Additionally, Teresita's community service is not limited to her work for ICHS. She has served as the Aging in PACE Washington Board President, was appointed by President Biden to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, and has brought together local leaders to push back against anti-Asian hatred.

My staff and I have had the privilege of working with Teresita on many occasions. I recently joined Teresita for a tour of ICHS's International District Medical and Dental Clinic to see and discuss the work she and ICHS are doing for health care access and equity. I have also worked with Teresita to secure Community Project Funding for the AiPACE Adult Day Center and Clinic in Beacon Hill. As a leader and advocate for her community about healthcare and addressing social determinants of health, Teresita's work has benefited many, especially in refugee and immigrant communities.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Teresita Batayola for her career expanding healthcare access to diverse communities, and I wish her a happy retirement.

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