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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. J. Gregg Fozard 
4on receiving the 2018 Rural Physician of Excellence Award from 
5the Illinois Rural Health Association; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, One of the biggest healthcare challenges across 
7our nation is the shortage of physicians who practice in rural 
8settings; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Dr. Fozard graduated from the University of 
10Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago in 1975; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Dr. Fozard went on to complete his residency in 
12Family Practice in 1978 at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in 
13St. Louis; and
 
14    WHEREAS, In 1978, Dr. Fozard relocated his family to 
15southern Illinois and has been serving the area since, first 
16with the Pinckneyville Medical Group and then with the Family 
17Medical Center Rural Health Clinic in Pinckneyville, where he 
18serves as Medical Director; and
 
19    WHEREAS, In addition to Dr. Fozard's service to his 
20community, he has been extremely dedicated to our country; he 
 
 
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1served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 13 years, including active 
2service overseas in Operation Desert Storm; he attained the 
3rank of Lt. Colonel; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Despite the great shortage of obstetric services 
5in rural areas, Dr. Fozard spent many years delivering babies, 
6many of whom are now adults  and, along with their families,    
7current patients; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Dr. Fozard also provides care to many geriatric 
9patients and can often be found making rounds at the area 
10nursing homes, making sure Pinckneyville's older generation is 
11well taken care of; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Despite Dr. Fozard's busy schedule, he often takes 
13time to share his passion for history and artifacts of the 
14Civil War with local students, dressed as a Union Army soldier; 
15and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Dr. Fozard is active in professional societies, 
17including the Perry County Medical Society, the Illinois State 
18Medical Society, the Illinois Academy of Family Practice, and 
19the American Academy of Family Practice; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Dr. Fozard has made a huge impact in improving 
21rural healthcare for generations of families in southern 
 
 
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1Illinois; therefore, be it
  
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
3HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
4congratulate Dr. J. Gregg Fozard on receiving the 2018 Rural 
5Physician of Excellence Award and commend him on over 40 years 
6of selfless service and dedication to his patients; and be it 
7further
  
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
9presented to Dr. Fozard as a symbol of our respect and esteem.