HR0605 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0605 LRB098 14282 GRL 48891 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. Stephen Reid, Jr. for receiving the "2013 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, Dr. Stephen Reid, Jr. earned his medical degree from Northwestern University in 1976 and completed his residency at the University of Illinois in 1982; he later completed his Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in 1984; and

WHEREAS, After practicing medicine in a large urban setting for many years, Dr. Stephen Reid, Jr. left Evanston Hospital in 1997 to embark on a career practicing in a rural area, joining the staff at the Weber Medical Clinic and Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his efforts to train medical students and physician assistants from Southern Illinois University on the challenges and benefits of practicing in rural areas, Dr. Stephen Reid, Jr. was awarded the "Preceptor of the Year" Award in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stephen Reid, Jr. has also helped plant the seed to cultivate future home grown medical professionals by participating in "Career Days" at East Richland Middle School; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stephen Reid, Jr. has lent his time and expertise to many internal hospital committees to improve services provided to patients, including those centered on blood and tissues, ICU, long term care, patient care evaluation, pharmacy, surgery, and tumors; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stephen Reid, Jr. has worked to raise community awareness of breast cancer and is a huge supporter of Richland County's Relay for Life by donning a "polyp" costume and running in local triathlons to raise money for cancer research; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Dr. Stephen Reid, Jr. for his selfless service to his community and the impact he has made on improving rural health; and be it further

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