This Week in Delaware

Empowered On Our Journey to Wellness

Thank you to the Wilmington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for inviting me to join their Empowering Our Sisters: Our Journey to Wellness Health Summit in Newark. This summit was designed to empower us to take control of our health and well-being. I was proud to share my work centered around increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms of blood clots, including the comprehensive toolkit I rolled out last month.

Investing in Recovery Housing in Delaware

I was proud to stand alongside Senator Tom Carper and Senator Chris Coons as we celebrated nearly a half-million-dollar investment in federal funding for Limen Recovery and Wellness in Wilmington. We celebrated the completion of capital improvements that include the replacement of the roof and windows, and upgrades to the living areas for the residents. Since 1969, this organization has been at work in our state to provide a pathway to hope and dignity for those experiencing substance use disorders and mental health challenges. There are 140,000 adults in Delaware living with substance use disorder. While we’ve made some progress, we know there is a lot more work that needs to be done so we can save more lives. This funding will allow Limen House to continue its critical work to help us do just that.

UPCOMING: Mobile Office Hours in Greenwood

My office is once again hosting Mobile Office Hours this Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Greenwood Public Library. Members of my casework team will be on hand to assist Delawareans who need help with federal agencies including passport and visa processing, securing your Social Security benefits, and getting your tax refund from the IRS.

RSVPs are encouraged but not required. To RSVP, please click here.

This Week in Washington

Addressing the Health Care Workforce Shortage through Artificial Intelligence

I’m grateful to have hosted a conversation this week with my Future of Work Caucus co-chair, Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), to hear from experts about how we can harness emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to help solve workforce challenges facing the health care system. We talked about the challenges of artificial intelligence – such as biased algorithms, transparency, and liability – and the many opportunities it presents for innovation, efficiency, and improving care. Our ultimate goal is to help support health care providers, address workforce shortages, increase access to care, and create a healthier America.

Left to right: Peter Shen, Head of Digital & Automation for North America, Siemens Healthineers, Danielle Weber, MSN, MSM, RN-BC, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse Executive, ChristianaCare, Chief Nursing Officer, Wilmington Hospital, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Dr. Avi Goldfarb, Rotman Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare, and Professor of Marketing, at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, and Jason Naidich, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, Northwell Health.

Delawareans in DC!

It was great to see several Delawareans in Washington this week including the Insurance Agents and Brokers! In the face of unprecedented extreme weather events and disasters, I am committed to ensuring Delawareans have the resources they need to protect their homes, crops, and livelihoods.

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester meeting with the Insurance Agents and Brokers.

I also met with the Delaware Technology Council. I thanked them for the work they are doing to bolster and diversify Delaware’s tech workforce, create a robust tech ecosystem, and promote our state’s leadership in the technology space.

Left to right: Zakiyyah Ali, Executive Director, Delaware Technology Council, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Joshua Berkow, Director of Operations, Delaware Technology Council.

I was proud to see members of the National Parents Union in DC, including a few Delawareans! I’m a proud Union supporter and will continue to advocate for policies focused on equity and help prepare our students for success.

Above: Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester and members of the National Parents Union.

Below are some helpful resources for you:

Delaware Taxpayer Assistance Center Reopens in Dover: Tax Day is on Monday, April 15^th, and the Internal Revenue Service recently announced the reopening of the Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) on S. Dupont Highway in Dover. All IRS TACs operate by appointment. To schedule an appointment at the Dover TAC, call 844-545-5640. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To view services provided at this office and to get directions, click here.
Look Before You Book: Are you thinking about booking a trip? Before you do, you should ensure that your passport is up-to-date! You can go to travel.state.gov to check your passport expiration date, apply for a new passport, and more.
Need a Passport Appointment?: The Department of State is encouraging travelers to go to passportappointment.travel.state.gov to schedule passport appointments within 14 days of their date of travel. You can utilize this resource until September!
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988, the 24/7, free and confidential support Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also go to 988lifeline.org.
Delaware 211: Delawareans in need of emergency housing, utility assistance, food assistance, and more, call 211, Delaware’s free, confidential resource hotline.

This week, I was honored to be presented with the National Medical Association (NMA)’s Outstanding Congressional Leadership Award for my efforts to reduce health disparities, improve access to quality, affordable health care, and to strengthen our health care workforce. Across the country, we are facing a health care workforce shortage. During NMA's Legislative Day on Capitol Hill, I met with Dr. Marshala Lee-McCall, a physician from Delaware and member of NMA, who shared with me a personal story which underscored the importance of creating a pipeline through mentoring. She told me about a student who at first had difficulty passing her medical school admissions exam. Dr. Lee-McCall became a mentor to this young person, offering her guidance, advice, and encouragement.

That student went on to graduate medical school and is now an OB-GYN resident physician in Delaware and will help deliver Dr. Lee-McCall’s baby. I am grateful to Dr. Lee-McCall for sharing this impactful story with me and for her dedication to creating a pipeline of physicians in Delaware!

Above: Dr. Cyrilene Eastmond, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Dr. Marshala Lee-McCall.

Yours in service,

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester

Member of Congress