HR0469 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0469 LRB102 20375 LAW 29233 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Dennis Palmer, D.O., on the occasion of receiving the 2021 Rural Physician Lifetime of Service 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. Palmer graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1975 and completed a rotating internship at Davenport Osteopathic Hospital in 1976; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Palmer served as Lt. Commander in the National Health Service Corps from 1976 to 1978; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Palmer served as a flight surgeon for the Federal Aviation Association from 1976 to 1978; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Palmer, as a family practice physician, became owner of Mercer Health Center, SC, in 1978, which is now part of Genesis Health Group; he continues to provide care for generations of families there; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Palmer has served as an adjunct assistant professor of Family Medicine for Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine since 1983; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Palmer has served in various leadership roles throughout his career, including as chief of staff and chief of obstetrics of Mercer County Hospital; he has served as medical director of Aledo Health and Rehab, Genesis Senior Living, and local plasma centers; he also served on the board of directors for the Illinois Lyme Association; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Palmer is very committed to sharing his knowledge of rural medicine and has served as a preceptor to students studying to be doctors, advanced practice nurses, and physician assistants, inspiring them to pursue careers in rural practice; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Palmer's passion to help the rural medically underserved areas of northwest Illinois has extended outside the state, providing care to patients throughout South America on his many mission trips to Bolivia and Honduras through the years; and

WHEREAS, In addition to serving his patients, Dr. Palmer has actively served his community, including as president of the Mercer County YMCA, as president of the Aledo Civic Authority, and as a youth camp counselor; and

WHEREAS, When not practicing medicine, Dr. Palmer can be found on the tennis courts, on horseback, or training for a triathlon; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dennis Palmer, D.O., on receiving the 2021 Rural Physician Lifetime of Service Award from the Illinois Rural Health Association; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend Dr. Palmer for his compassion, his dedication to his patients, and for filling such a tremendous void in rural medicine in northwest Illinois over the past 45 years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Palmer as an expression of our esteem and respect.