[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           C. DAVID SMITH, 2004 FAMILY PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2004

  Mr. JEFF MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Doctor C. David Smith for receiving the honor as Florida's 2004 Family 
Physician of the Year.
  Dr. Smith has an extraordinary beginning to his career. He graduated 
second in his class from the University of Florida medical school in 
1979. With a promising career in medicine, he began his residency at 
the University of South Alabama. However, in 1980 with not even a year 
of residency under his belt, he received word that his hometown 
hospital in Jay, Florida would close due to the lack of physician 
manpower and financial resources. Dr. David Smith followed his love of 
medicine and people and relocated back to his hometown, insuring that 
the hospital would continue to serve his neighbors in the rural 
community of less than 600.
  During his 23-year tenure, Dr. Smith serves patients from his 
community and the surrounding area in his private practice, the 
emergency room, acute care center, hospital and nursing home. He is 
also the team physician for the local high school football team and 
even has time to make house calls.
  Among his supporters, his patients offer the most passionate 
tributes. A community citizen whose family was comforted by Dr. Smith 
noted, ``The community is blessed to have this man among us. If we 
could have a statue in Jay of a hero, it would be Dr. David Smith, 
physician extraordinaire, humanitarian by gift of God, and our beloved 
rural doctor.''
  Thanks to his leadership, intellect, and altruistic character, he 
revived the medical community and put rural hospital care in the 
medical spotlight. Jay Hospital and Northwest Florida communities are 
very fortunate to have such a distinguished family physician who has a 
genuine concern for people.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to 
congratulate and offer my sincere appreciation to Dr. C. David Smith 
for his service in the communities of Northwest Florida.

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