[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6032-S6033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  A GREAT PHYSICIAN AND A TRUE PIONEER

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Ray 
Stowers, D.O., a constituent of mine. Dr. Stowers, a native Oklahoman, 
is an osteopathic, family practice physician from Medford, OK, who is a 
true example of the pioneer spirit in America.
  In the pioneer spirit, Ray's contributions have resulted in so many 
``firsts'' in his life, both for the State of Oklahoma, for the 
osteopathic medical profession, and for the patients that he has 
reached into the rural communities to help.
  It is because of his most recent ``first'', that I rise today to 
congratulate Ray on his recent appointment to the Physician Payment 
Review Commission [PPRC]. Ray Stowers represents what is best about 
medicine and physicians in America today. During a time when the trend 
to become a specializing physician is so strong and promises such great 
rewards, Ray Stowers has remained dedicated to the path of providing 
solo, rural, family medicine for 21 years. Yet from this path, Ray has 
been able to pioneer programs that enhance the numbers of physicians 
who share this important commitment.
  One of Ray's many successes occurred when the Governor of Oklahoma 
appointed him to serve on the board of the Task Force and Rural 
Planning Committee which was responsible for advising the Governor on 
the State's health care manpower needs, and for convening a statewide 
conference to discuss rural health care delivery issues.
  As well, Ray had the vision to see Oklahoma's need for rural health 
clinics, ensuring care for Oklahoma's hardest to reach populations. 
While he saw the need for, and began, the first rural health clinics in 
this State, within 5 years that number had burgeoned into 38 rural 
health clinics. Now, Oklahoma's hard-to-reach and underserved 
communities are assured access to a doctor and good medical care.
  In addition to his many appointments, since 1993, Dr. Stowers also 
has been a presence on the American Medical Association Relative Value 
Update Committee [RUC]. As the first osteopathic physician appointed to 
serve on this prestigious committee, Ray has facilitated greater 
understanding, collaboration, and teamwork between the osteopathic 
medical profession and the allopathic physician community, and has lent 
his considerable expertise on physician practices to the RUC 
proceedings.
  Dr. Stowers has served his family, his profession, his community, and 
his State with strength and integrity that symbolizes a modern pioneer. 
Dr. Stowers, the great State of Oklahoma is proud of your 
accomplishments. And 
[[Page S6033]] I am honored to join your family and friends and 
colleagues in wishing you every success as you embark on your next 
journey; serving on the Physician Payment Review Commission.


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