WHEREAS, in 2016, Kim Snead, a respected expert in health care policy, retires as executive director of the Joint Commission on Health Care after 33 years of service to the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Kim Snead began her career in state government in 1982 as an analyst for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission; she joined the Joint Commission on Health Care in 1999 as a health policy analyst and was selected to serve as executive director in 2002; and

WHEREAS, during her tenure as executive director, Kim Snead supported efforts to better understand the needs of individuals with developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, and she encouraged discourse on palliative care, long-term care, and pain management; and

WHEREAS, under Kim Snead's leadership, the Joint Commission on Health Care expanded newborn screening panels to help identify, prevent, and treat rare disorders; she also helped increase awareness and prevent cases of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma; and

WHEREAS, Kim Snead is a proud native of Roanoke and an avid supporter of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned a bachelor's degree; and

WHEREAS, after her well-earned retirement, Kim Snead plans to seek new opportunities to serve the community and spend more time with her husband, children, and grandchild; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Kim Snead on the occasion of her retirement as executive director of the Joint Commission on Health Care; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Kim Snead as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her service to the Commonwealth and leadership in health care policy.