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Councilmember Christina Henderson Chairman Phil Mendelson 2
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 5
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 10
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To recognize, honor, and celebrate Dr. Kurt Newman for his exemplary leadership of Children’s 14
National Hospital and for his outstanding contributions to pediatric healthcare for children 15
and families in the District of Columbia, the greater D.C. metropolitan region and across 16
the country. 17
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WHEREAS, Dr. Kurt Newman joined Children’s National Hospital as a surgical fellow in 19
1984 and became Surgeon-in-Chief and Senior Vice President for the Joseph E. Robert, Jr. Center 20
for Surgical Care in 2003; 21
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WHEREAS, in 2011, Dr. Newman became President & Chief Executive Officer of 23
Children’s National Hospital, a 323-bed pediatric acute care hospital located in Ward 5; 24
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WHEREAS, under Dr. Newman’s leadership, Children’s National has elevated up the 26
ranks of U.S. News & World Report to be consistently ranked in the top 10 best children’s hospitals 27
in the nation and has repeatedly ranked as #1 for newborn care; 28
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WHEREAS, through a culture of patient-centered care, Dr. Newman has championed 30
innovation in research, operations, and clinical care; 31
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WHEREAS, Dr. Newman has strengthened and diversified the economy of the region by 33
growing pediatric medical research at Children’s National and the high-wage jobs that support that 34
field by turning Children’s National into one of the top funded pediatric institutions in National 35
Institutes of Health funding; 36
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WHEREAS, Dr. Newman envisioned and led the transformation of 12 acres of the former 38
Walter Reed Army Medical Center into the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus, 39
an ecosystem dedicated to finding new and better ways to care for children. 40
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WHEREAS, Dr. Newman has expanded Children’s National locations into all 8 Wards of 42
Washington, DC bringing health care closer to District of Columbia families by developing a 43
comprehensive system of pediatric primary care, operating the co-location of the Children’s 44
National Emergency Department at United Medical Center, and partnering to provide pediatric 45
emergency care at the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center; 46 2
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WHEREAS, Dr. Newman has worked tirelessly to draw more funding and attention to the 48
youth mental health crisis through robust advocacy efforts; 49
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WHEREAS, under Dr. Newman’s leadership, Children’s National led a critical COVID-51
19 response by opening the nation’s first drive-up and walk-up COVID testing center, offering a 52
critical resource for families in Washington, DC and beyond; 53
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WHEREAS, Dr. Newman has been an active leader in the community and contributes to 55
the success of other organizations, including his service as a board member of the Economic Club 56
of Washington, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Federal City Council, D.C. Chamber of 57
Commerce, and the DC Hospital Association; and 58
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WHEREAS, Children’s National and its many supporters will celebrate Dr. Newman on 60
his retirement on June 30, 2023, and Children’s National will continue to build upon his legacy to 61
provide high quality pediatric healthcare across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. 62
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this 64
resolution may be cited as the “Dr. Kurt Newman Recognition Resolution of 2023”. 65
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Dr. Kurt Newman 67
for over 35 years of leadership and service to children and families in Washington, DC, and 68
declares June 30, 2023, as “Dr. Kurt Newman Day” in the District of Columbia. 69
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. 71