Senate Concurrent Resolution 529

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. KATRINA POE OF KILMICHAEL, MISSISSIPPI, THE NATIONAL "2005 COUNTRY DOCTOR OF THE YEAR."

WHEREAS, the Town of Kilmichael, Mississippi, turned out to celebrate and support Dr. Katrina Poe who was chosen "2005 Country Doctor of the Year," out of 3,000 possible entries; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Poe is the only working doctor in this town of 700 people. "This is what I was born to do," said Poe, 35, a Kilmichael native. "It's awfully nice to serve people who are like you -- being from the same community. You feel a certain connection there. I truly feel like I know what they need"; and

WHEREAS, it is that sort of dedication that led a Texas-based medical staffing firm to name Dr. Poe the "2005 Country Doctor of the Year." "It's all about commitment to the community," said Phillip Miller, a spokesman for Staff Care, Inc., "someone who really represents the rural style of practice"; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Poe is the second female and the first black physician to win the Country Doctor of the Year Award in Staff Care's 11-year history; and

WHEREAS, Staff Care is one of the nation's largest providers of temporary physicians. It has sponsored the Country Doctor Award since 1992. Miller said the organization gets several hundred nominations each year; and

WHEREAS, "This doctor's office is the heart of the community," said Linda Turner, a nurse at Kilmichael Medical Clinic, where Poe works. She sees 250 to 300 patients each week at the clinic, makes rounds at the hospital twice a day, is on call every day and night, supervises patients at a local geriatric care center, monitors patients at a psychiatric care center and serves as the high school's athletic team doctor; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Poe is married to the hospital's chief administrator, and has two children, a three-year old and a three-month old; and

WHEREAS, when all was said and done, more than 250 people, friends, family members, colleagues, patients and well-meaning supporters packed the school auditorium to share a shining moment in a young doctor's life, a moment Poe says will last forever; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this Mississippian for extraordinary dedication to her profession and for her contributions to the citizens of her community and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Katrina Poe of Kilmichael, Mississippi, for her receipt of The National "2005 Country Doctor of the Year" Award, and extend to her and family the best wishes of the Legislature in the practice of her profession and her contributions to her community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Poe and be made available to the Mayor of Kilmichael and the Capitol Press Corps.