[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 24, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9111-S9112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF DR. RICHARD RYAN'S RETIREMENT FROM DES MOINES 
                               UNIVERSITY

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, one of Iowa's foremost leaders in 
medical and health sciences education, Dr. Richard M. Ryan Jr., has 
announced his retirement from Des Moines University at the end of this 
December. Today, I rise to acknowledge his many contributions to health 
care in the State of Iowa, the Nation and the world.
  Dr. Ryan's career reflects his lifelong commitment to community and 
population-based medicine. He began his career with a doctoral degree 
in public health from Harvard University, and has continued to serve on 
numerous academic and health boards, professional organizations, 
committees, and task forces.
  Harvard University, Boston University, and Tufts University have all 
been a part of Dr. Ryan's distinguished career in medical education and 
health services administration. Iowa was fortunate to attract Dr. Ryan 
in 1996, when he became president of Des Moines University.
  Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Ryan created a new Public Health 
Program, significantly expanded the Des Moines University research 
enterprise, and laid the foundation for a campus revitalization plan. 
Under Dr. Ryan's leadership the University recently established a 
Geriatric Education Center on campus. Through all of these efforts, Dr. 
Ryan has helped to expand the reach and recognition of the University's 
medical and health sciences programs in Iowa and across the Nation.

[[Page S9112]]

  Additionally Dr. Ryan has helped forge new partnerships within the 
community and state. The university's modern research laboratories 
welcome students from Iowa's public and private undergraduate 
institutions. Faculty and students from the University provide ongoing 
health care services and educational opportunities to students and 
teachers in the younger grade levels within the community.
  A Navy veteran, Dr. Ryan has also distinguished himself through 
commitment to the welfare of veterans. He served as senior health 
consultant to the Chief of Health Services for the U.S. Coast Guard and 
as executive consultant to six medical directors of the Veterans 
Administration.
  In addition to serving both public and private health care interests 
in the U.S., Dr. Ryan is highly regarded for his experience and 
expertise in international medicine. He has served as a consultant to 
ministries of health and education in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, 
Kuwait, Qatar, and Russia.
  Although I am saddened to see this great man retire, he has assured 
me that he intends to remain active and available to serve where 
needed, helping to ensure access to health care for all.
  I commend Dr. Ryan for his commitment to the health care needs of the 
people of Iowa and the Nation through his many years of visionary 
leadership and dedicated service.

                          ____________________