Honoring the American Lung Association's Health Advocates of the Year

by Dale Edward Kildee

HONORING THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION'S HEALTH ADVOCATES OF THE YEAR

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              OF MICHIGAN

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                       Thursday, November 1, 2001

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the American
Lung Association of Michigan-Genesee Valley Region's 2001 Health
Advocate of the Year honorees. The awards will be presented to the
Corporate Health Advocate and the Individual Health Advocate at a
banquet to be held on November 7th.
  McLaren Health Care Corporation is the recipient of the Corporate
Health Advocate Award. In addition to being recognized in the Top 10
integrated health networks in the United States by Modern Healthcare
Magazine, McLaren's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program was the first in
Michigan to be accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular
and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
  The Pulmonary Program is part of a five year National Emphysema
Therapy Trial through the University of Michigan, studying the surgical
benefits of Lung Volume Reduction surgery for emphysema. Concurrently,
the MaLaren Pulmonary Program partners with several lung transplant
programs to provide pre and postoperative care to transplant patients.
  McLaren's community involvement encompasses their participation in a
mini-grant program to teach youngsters about the dangers of smoking,
participating in the Freedom from Smoking classes sponsored by the
American Lung Association, working with the American Lung Association
of Michigan Asthma Committee, the SMART Coalition, the Greater Flint
Health Coalition, Open Airways for Schools, Kids on the Block, and a
having a representative on the American Lung Association of Michigan
Regional Board of Directors.
  Dr. Cory Cookingham is the recipient of the Individual Health
Advocate of the Year Award. Dr. Cookingham met the criteria to be
honored with this award by his continued involvement and advocacy for
health lung issues.
  After graduating from medical school in 1953, Dr. Cookingham served
internships and residencies in Hawaii, Flint and Ann Arbor. In 1958 he
completed an allergy residency and went on to found the Allergy Clinic
at Mott Children's Health Center. He continued his work at Mott
Children's Health Center for several years until he entered private
practice in 1961. During this time he was the Allergy Fellow at the
University of Michigan Hospital as an instructor in the Department of
Pediatrics.
  In 1963 Dr. Cookingham started the first Smoking Withdrawal Clinic.
Since that time, he has been certified by the Pediatric Allergy Board,
and the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He has served as the
President of the Genesee Valley Lung Association, the Director of the
Michigan Lung Association, the President of the Flint Rotary Club, a
Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Pediatrics and Human
Development--Michigan State University and as a Clinical Professor with
the same school.
  Dr. Cookingham has published several articles and professional papers
during his medical career. He has expanded his private practice and now
serves patients in four locations, Flint, Clarkston, Frankenmuth and
Port Huron. He has worked tirelessly to promote better care for
patients with compromised pulmonary function. His advocacy on behalf of
his patients has sensitized many to the need for preventive care and an
improved environment.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in
honoring both McLaren Health Care Corporation and Dr. Cory Cookingham
along with the American Lung Association. We owe them a debt of
gratitude for the tremendous work they perform every day improving the
quality of life for all Americans.

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