10 LC 94 1893
Senate Resolution 909
By: Senators Staton of the 18th and Thomas of the 54th

A RESOLUTION


Recognizing and commending Ralph V. Austin, Jr., M.D., for his outstanding service to the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the health and well-being of the citizens of our state depends on access to high quality physicians, well distributed throughout the state to meet the health care needs of all citizens; and

WHEREAS, this state has long struggled with ensuring that an appropriate number of primary care and specialist physicians exists in all areas of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce was created in 1976 with the purpose of ensuring all Georgians access to a physician; and

WHEREAS, the work of the Georgia board for Physician Workforce is guided through the dedicated service of health care professionals like Dr. Ralph V. Austin, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Austin served on the board from the fall of 1998 until the spring of 2009, for a total of 11 years, helping to guide the board as it developed meaningful and effective programs designed to build Georgia's primary care and specialist physician workforce; and

WHEREAS, through dedicated leadership and cooperative spirit, Dr. Austin has supported the work of the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce and helped establish the board as an excellent resource for managing scarce state resources and guiding the work of the medical education system in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, this state has seen substantial improvements in the physician workforce thanks, in part, to the dedicated efforts of Dr. Austin and the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize Dr. Ralph V. Austin, Jr., for his many years of selfless service to the State of Georgia and commend his efforts to improve the field of medicine and education.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Dr. Ralph V. Austin, Jr.