[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 150 (Thursday, October 23, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13131-S13132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                IN RECOGNITION OF SCOTT OBENSHAIN, M.D.

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Dr. 
Scott Obenshain, of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 
for his commitment and services to the University and to the people of 
his State.
  In his 32 years at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 
Dr. Obenshain has provided the leadership for many innovative 
educational programs that have contributed to the

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school's reputation as a national and international leader in the field 
of medical education. His loyalty to generations of students, combined 
with his respect for them as adult learners, is truly commendable. In 
addition, Dr. Obenshain's commitment to education is evidenced in his 
pioneering work to improve learning by creating a curriculum that is 
student-centered and problem-based.
  The leadership that Dr. Scott Obenshain has demonstrated at the 
University of New Mexico School of medicine has also had a wide impact 
on the quality of undergraduate medical education. Students are treated 
with the highest respect, and Dr. Obenshain has set a tone of 
excellence in the education of our students. His example has left a 
lasting impression on innumerable graduates of our medical school. The 
innovations he began at the University of New Mexico have served as 
models for other schools both in the United States and around the 
world, and many institutions have benefited from the leadership that 
Dr. Scott Obenshain has provided over the years.
  Finally, Dr. Obenshain has demonstrated continuing dedication to 
meeting the needs of poor, rural, and underserved communities in New 
Mexico, and has steadfastly achieved this by including such populations 
in the primary care curriculum. For example, he implemented the rural 
clinical practice component for fourth year medical students in 1974, 
which became a requirement for all students soon thereafter.
  Dr. Scott Obenshain is honored today in the Senate because he has 
served selflessly and widely, and because he has led with 
distinction.

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