HR1232 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1232 LRB100 23505 MST 42544 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. J. Gregg Fozard 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, Dr. Fozard graduated from the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago in 1975; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fozard went on to complete his residency in Family Practice in 1978 at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Dr. Fozard relocated his family to southern Illinois and has been serving the area since, first with the Pinckneyville Medical Group and then with the Family Medical Center Rural Health Clinic in Pinckneyville, where he serves as Medical Director; and

WHEREAS, In addition to Dr. Fozard's service to his community, he has been extremely dedicated to our country; he served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 13 years, including active service overseas in Operation Desert Storm; he attained the rank of Lt. Colonel; and

WHEREAS, Despite the great shortage of obstetric services in rural areas, Dr. Fozard spent many years delivering babies, many of whom are now adults and, along with their families, current patients; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fozard also provides care to many geriatric patients and can often be found making rounds at the area nursing homes, making sure Pinckneyville's older generation is well taken care of; and

WHEREAS, Despite Dr. Fozard's busy schedule, he often takes time to share his passion for history and artifacts of the Civil War with local students, dressed as a Union Army soldier; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fozard is active in professional societies, including the Perry County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, the Illinois Academy of Family Practice, and the American Academy of Family Practice; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fozard has made a huge impact in improving rural healthcare for generations of families 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. J. Gregg Fozard on receiving the 2018 Rural Physician of Excellence Award and commend him on over 40 years of selfless service and dedication to his patients; and be it further

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