HR1224 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1224 LRB097 22923 MST 71727 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. Reid Sutton for receiving the "2012 Rural Physician of Excellence Award" from the Illinois Rural Health Association; and

WHEREAS, After completing his residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Dr. Sutton began his service to rural residents in Edgar County when he joined the staff at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sutton's involvement in improving the health care of those in his community has been far reaching; and

WHEREAS, Due to the expertise and knowledge Dr. Sutton has developed over the years, he currently serves as the Medical Director for the Special Care Unit and the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit and is the Chief of Medical Staff for PCH/FMC; and

WHEREAS, In order for local residents to have access to non-emergency care on the weekends, Dr. Sutton serves as collaborating physician to advanced practice nurses and a supervising physician to physician assistants so that weekend hours can be provided at a local care clinic; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sutton is the only certified Medical Review Officer in his community and works closely with area employers to ensure the validity of their employee drug testing programs; and

WHEREAS, The senior population in Edgar County is much higher than the State and national averages; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sutton has a special place in his heart for the community's most vulnerable citizens by serving as medical director at several local assisted living centers and nursing homes and always making extra time to ensure the area's senior residents get the utmost in quality care; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sutton also devotes many hours of service to the Austin Home, a local home for developmentally disabled adults; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sutton provides health education to his community; he is a frequent speaker at community forums, as well as providing special expertise and moral support to local caregiver groups on topics such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Dr. Sutton for his selfless service to his community and the impact he has made on improving rural health over the past 35 years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Sutton as a symbol of our respect and esteem.