HR1229 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1229 LRB100 23496 MST 42534 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. Kyaw Naing on receiving the 2018 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, After completing medical school in Burma, Dr. Naing went on to earn his master's degree at Western Illinois University and his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University (SIU), both in Community Health Education; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Naing served as Director of Health Education at the Jackson County Health Department from 1988 to 1995; and

WHEREAS, In 1996, Dr. Naing completed the SIU Family Medicine Residency Program in Carbondale, where he has practiced since; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Naing has a true passion for community health; he has served as the medical director for the Jackson County Health Department, for Neurorestorative, a long-term community care program for traumatic brain injury patients, and for Gateway, a drug rehabilitation and counseling program; and

WHEREAS, Since 2007, Dr. Naing has been a professor at the SIU Family Medicine Residency Program; he was awarded the Core Faculty Teacher of the Year Award from the class of 2016; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Naing serves as the medical director and also teaches students enrolled in SIU's Physician Assistant Program; and

WHEREAS, Due to the aging population and the demand for increased medical training in this area, Dr. Naing is currently working with Rush University to develop curriculum for the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, providing a rural perspective to the project; and

WHEREAS, During his "free time", Dr. Naing enjoys traveling internationally with his wife, Khin; he is also an avid astro-photographer; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Naing's generosity does not end with his job; he and his wife, Khin, open their home and serve as hosts to foreign students and residents, often taking time to introduce them to the hidden natural beauty of the area; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Naing dedication to rural practice, public health, and training future medical professions have made a huge impact on improving the health care environment in southern Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. Kyaw Naing on receiving the 2018 Rural Physician of Excellence Award and commend him for all his contributions to medicine and public health; and be it further

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