[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S10408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. JOHN A. STROSNIDER

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of John 
A. Strosnider, D.O., a respected Kentuckian who passed away on July 1, 
2007, of cancer. Dr. Strosnider was the founding dean of the Pikeville 
College School of Osteopathic Medicine and also served as president of 
the American Osteopathic Association, AOA.
  Dr. Strosnider accepted the challenge to create the Pikeville College 
School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1996. The school, located in eastern 
Kentucky, opened in 1997 with 60 students and has since produced more 
than 400 physicians. In keeping with the school's mission, many of them 
have stayed in the region to practice medicine. In fact, according to 
Pikeville College officials, 55 of the new physicians have opened 
offices within a 2-hour drive of the city.
  Throughout his career, Dr. Strosnider was honored by several 
organizations for his dedication to the profession. At the time of his 
death, he was serving as president of the AOA, and, in 2005, he was 
named Kentucky Osteopathic Medical Association Physician of the Year.
  After being named AOA president, Dr. Strosnider said, ``I hope to 
raise students' awareness and remind osteopathic physicians of the 
history and philosophy of osteopathic medicine. The osteopathic medical 
profession was built on a primary care philosophy, and we need to get 
back to those basics so that our patients in these areas have access to 
the distinctive health care promised by osteopathic medicine.''
  When Dr. Strosnider was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this 
year, he gathered his students and faculty together to inform them of 
his illness. He told the assembly he wanted to be open with them and 
remain optimistic. Shortly after his passing, Pikeville College 
President Hal Smith wrote a letter to colleagues and friends. In it, he 
wrote, ``John's vision and work will continue to impact the lives of 
thousands of individuals he never knew.''
  I got to know Dr. Strosnider several years ago. Every year, he would 
bring a group of his students to Washington, DC, and I had the 
privilege of meeting with him and his students on several occasions. I 
was always impressed with how Dr. Strosnider encouraged the future 
doctors to remain close to home and provide critical health care to the 
underserved people of eastern Kentucky.
  Mr. President, I ask you to join me in remembering this outstanding 
Kentuckian. He is survived by his wife Jo Ann and three children, John 
Adam, Alisha, and Paul. He will be missed.

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