[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 28 (Monday, February 13, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S2564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO DR. DON NEEL

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Don Neel 
of Owensboro, who was honored last week with the 1994 Physician's Award 
for Best Notifiable Disease Reporter by the Kentucky Department of 
Health Services.
  The department recognized Dr. Neel for his longstanding support of 
community health, particularly his efforts to contain the outbreak of 
an acute infectious disease last fall.
  Reginald Finger, M.D., chief epidemiologist for the department of 
health services, presented the award at Dr. Neel's Owensboro office.
  ``Dr. Neel represents the very essence of public health in his 
efforts to detect potential health hazards and then prevent the spread 
of these diseases to others,'' Finger said in his presentation. He 
noted that without Dr. Neel's early actions last fall, many more 
children would have come down with shigellosis. ``Dr. Neel is being 
honored for that and more--throughout his career, he has been a strong 
supporter and partner of the local health department in Owensboro. Dr. 
Neel's career has been characterized by an unending zeal to improve the 
health and well being of children--all children,'' he said.
  This award from the department of health services recognizes someone 
who has made outstanding contributions in public health, specifically 
reporting diagnosed diseases to the local health department.
  Last October, Daviess County experienced an unusual outbreak of 
shigellosis, which is an acute infection of the intestine. This disease 
can be particularly dangerous for small children. To date, 74 cases 
have been diagnosed.
  Upon identifying the first few cases of shigellosis, Dr. Neel 
immediately contacted the health department to alert public health 
officials of a possible community outbreak. Working with the health 
department and the Owensboro-Daviess County Hospital, he coordinated 
efforts to have people tested and treated for the disease.
  Education sessions were held at several schools, preschools, and day 
care centers to help prevent the disease through thorough hand washing.
  Lenna Elder, R.N., of the Daviess County Health Center, attributed 
Dr. Neel's early action to his sincere interest in the community and 
well-being of children.
  ``The health department's goal is to help maintain a healthy 
community so that everybody is well,'' Elder said. ``Dr. Neel has 
always been cooperative and very helpful in helping us meet that goal. 
He has always asked, `How can I help you?' We know that he is truly 
only a phone call away.''
  Long active in Owensboro's community life, Dr. Neel is a graduate of 
Owensboro High School and received his medical degree from the 
University of Kentucky. He has had a private pediatric practice in 
Owensboro since 1970 and is chief of pediatrics at the Owensboro-
Daviess County Hospital.
  He served on the Daviess County board of health from 1980 to 1991, 
the Green River district board of health from 1980 to 1986 and was 
part-time health officer for the Daviess County Health Center.
  He lives with his wife, Faye, in Owensboro. He is the father of two 
and has three grandchildren.


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