HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 218 Offered January 14, 2008 Commending Inova Alexandria Hospital. ---------- Patrons-- Moran, Ebbin and Englin ----------

WHEREAS, in 2008, Inova Alexandria Hospital celebrates its 135th anniversary of outstanding service to the citizens of Alexandria and Northern Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the second service hospital to be established in Virginia, Inova Alexandria Hospital was founded in 1872 and opened its doors to patients on January 25, 1873; and

WHEREAS, the first surgery was  performed at Inova Alexandria Hospital's new surgical facility in 1882, and the Nurses Training School was founded in 1894 to meet the great demand for nurses in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, by 1900, Inova Alexandria Hospital's dispensary was opened, marking the beginning of outpatient care at the facility; and in 1961, the innovative medical facility set the standard in emergency medicine by becoming the first to staff an emergency department with full-time physicians 24 hours a day; and

WHEREAS, Inova Alexandria Hospital's progressive approach to emergency care known as the “Alexandria Plan” has been adopted by hospitals across the country; and

WHEREAS, Inova Alexandria Hospital was the first hospital in the metropolitan Washington area to offer birthing rooms, providing an expectant mother the opportunity to experience labor, delivery, and recovery in a private environment in a single room; and

WHEREAS, in 1989, Inova Alexandria Hospital was the first hospital in Northern Virginia to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons for its comprehensive community oncology program; and

WHEREAS, a committed longtime partner of Northern Virginia's civic and nonprofit organizations, Inova Alexandria Hospital has served the community through its Childhood Immunization Program, charitable care program for the indigent and uninsured, and thousands of volunteer hours by its caring employees and physicians; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate Inova Alexandria Hospital on the occasion of its 135th anniversary as an exemplary model of compassionate and quality medical care; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Inova Alexandria Hospital as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude to the hospital for its outstanding service to the citizens of Alexandria and the Commonwealth and best wishes for continued success in the future.