Senate Resolution 48

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING RUTH K. FREDERICKS, M.D., NEURO-ONCOLOGIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER, ST. DOMINIC-JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND RIVER OAKS HOSPITAL AND FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE TO HER PROFESSION AND TO HER COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS, Ruth K. Fredericks, M.D., is the only licensed Neuro-Oncologist in the State of Mississippi and is held in the highest regard by her profession and by her patients; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fredericks is an Associate Professor in Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, serves as Medical Director for the Vascular Doppler Lab at UMC and at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital, and has a substantial private practice at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital and River Oaks Hospital, often co-attending patients with respected Dr. Seshadri Raju at the Neuro-Oncology and Multiple Sclerosis Clinics at the Jackson Medical Mall; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fredericks is a stereotype-smasher, if ever there was one. She's also evidence that a physician can be effective - and self-protective - without placing an emotional barrier between herself and desperately ill patients. Dr. Fredericks gives of her very soul when caring for patients. She laughs and cries with patients and their families, and they repeatedly tell her that she's like their best friend; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fredericks makes house calls to her terminally ill patients. She even visits those who are comatose. "I want to make sure the patients don't hurt," she says. "But the major point is to inform family members what's happening so they can help when they're needed"; and

WHEREAS, she has a patient who is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle fan. After his diagnosis, he became depressed and refused to participate in physical therapy. Dr. Fredericks promised him that if he pushed himself to the point where he could walk, she would rent a Harley and take him for a ride. The patient, who calls Dr. Fredericks "Motorcycle Mama," is now in remission; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fredericks is a native of Greenville, Mississippi; she attended high school in Memphis, Tennessee, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Millsaps College (1980), graduated from the University of Mississippi where she was cited for High Academic Achievement (1987), interned at North Carolina Baptist Hospital (Wake Forest University) with a residency in Neurology, she was Chief Resident in Neurology and received her Board Eligibility in Neurology (June 1991), participated in a Neuro-Oncology Fellowship at Duke University Medical Center (1992) and in addition to standard license in Mississippi and North Carolina, she received her Neuro-Oncology and American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry certification; and

WHEREAS, her numerous professional memberships include the Society for Neuro-Oncology (2004), her numerous awards and honors in being listed in "The Best Doctors in America: Southeast Region," she has numerous clinical research interests, and her many invited lectures, exhibits and publications are a matter of record; and

WHEREAS, it was the privilege of our own Presiding Officer, Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck, to meet Dr. Fredericks as a patient when she was ill. Governor Tuck found that Dr. Fredericks practiced medicine as an art, more than a science, by relating to her patients on a personal basis. "I feel very fortunate to have Dr. Fredericks as my personal physician," Lt. Governor Amy Tuck said. "Mississippians are very fortunate that Dr. Fredericks has chosen to lend her outstanding medical knowledge and skill to the care of our citizens. Health care in Mississippi is vastly improved through her continued practice of medicine." Dr. Fredericks has that indefinable quality called "bedside manner"; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Fredericks is married to Dr. Ravi S. Fredericks, and the couple has a son, Andrew S. Fredericks; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the career of this Mississippi specialist who gives of her soul when caring for patients:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Ruth K. Fredericks, M.D., Neuro-Oncologist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital and River Oaks Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi, where she is held in the highest regard for her dedicated service to her profession and to her community, and extend to her and her family the best wishes of the Senate in her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Fredericks and her family, be forwarded to the Director of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital and River Oaks Hospital and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.