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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. Richard 
4Foellner on receiving the "2014 Rural Physician of Excellence 
5Award" from the 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, In 1969, Dr. Foellner graduated from the Chicago 
10College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University  and, 
11in 1970, he completed his internship at Memorial Hospital in 
12York, Pennsylvania; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Foellner is Board Certified by the American 
14Osteopathic Board of General Practice and the American Academy 
15of Anti-Aging Medicine; and
 
16    WHEREAS, After practicing in a rural mountain community in 
17Pennsylvania, Dr. Foellner was recruited to Paxton in 1972; he 
18became a  "flatlander" and  soon set up satellite offices in 
19Onarga, Cissna Park, and Penfield, in addition to the diverse 
20care he provided at Paxton Community Hospital; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Through the years, Dr. Foellner has gone on to 
2serve patients at 7 different hospitals and long-term care 
3facilities covering rural populations; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Dr. Foellner is deeply committed to his community, 
5having served as the athletic team physician for 
6Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School and on the boards for the 
7Champaign-Ford County Regional Office of Education and the 
8Federated Bank in Onarga; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Dr. Foellner is an avid pilot, accomplished 
10athlete, and superb arborist; in his free time, he  ran a 
11Christmas Tree farm and donated many trees, wreaths, and 
12blankets; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Dr. Foellner has always been an educator, teaching 
14classes for local EMS and hospital staff; he also served as an 
15Adjunct Professor at the Chicago College of Osteopathic 
16Medicine at Midwestern University, where he frequency 
17encourages rural practice; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, The patient care and expertise that Dr. Foellner 
19has provided for over 42 years is a vital component to 
20healthcare in the central eastern part of our State; therefore, 
21be it
  
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
2NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
3we commend Dr. Foellner for his selfless service to his 
4community and the impact he has made on  improving rural health 
5and we congratulate him on receiving the 2014 Rural Physician 
6of Excellence Award; and be it further
  
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
8presented to Dr. Foellner as a symbol of our respect and 
9esteem.