HR1312 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1312 LRB098 23142 MST 62132 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. Richard Foellner on receiving the "2014 Rural Physician of Excellence Award" from the Illinois Rural Health Association; and

WHEREAS, One of the biggest healthcare challenges across our nation is the shortage of physicians who practice in rural settings; and

WHEREAS, In 1969, Dr. Foellner graduated from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University and, in 1970, he completed his internship at Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Foellner is Board Certified by the American Osteopathic Board of General Practice and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine; and

WHEREAS, After practicing in a rural mountain community in Pennsylvania, Dr. Foellner was recruited to Paxton in 1972; he became a "flatlander" and soon set up satellite offices in Onarga, Cissna Park, and Penfield, in addition to the diverse care he provided at Paxton Community Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, Dr. Foellner has gone on to serve patients at 7 different hospitals and long-term care facilities covering rural populations; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Foellner is deeply committed to his community, having served as the athletic team physician for Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School and on the boards for the Champaign-Ford County Regional Office of Education and the Federated Bank in Onarga; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Foellner is an avid pilot, accomplished athlete, and superb arborist; in his free time, he ran a Christmas Tree farm and donated many trees, wreaths, and blankets; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Foellner has always been an educator, teaching classes for local EMS and hospital staff; he also served as an Adjunct Professor at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University, where he frequency encourages rural practice; and

WHEREAS, The patient care and expertise that Dr. Foellner has provided for over 42 years is a vital component to healthcare in the central eastern part of our State; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Dr. Foellner for his selfless service to his community and the impact he has made on improving rural health and we congratulate him on receiving the 2014 Rural Physician of Excellence Award; and be it further

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