[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 186 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING RON KIRKLAND AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE 
                   AMERICAN MEDICAL GROUP ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2007

  Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recent 
professional honor bestowed on my former high school classmate and good 
friend, Dr. Ronald H. Kirkland.
  A practicing otolaryngologist for nearly a quarter of a century, Ron 
was elected as the 2008 Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 
American Medical Group Association, AMGA, located in Alexandria, 
Virginia.
  AMGA represents more than 300 medical groups, including some of the 
Nation's largest, most prestigious integrated healthcare delivery 
systems. AMGA members deliver health care to more than 50 million 
patients in 42 States, including 15 million lives.
  Dr. Kirkland is the past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 
Jackson Clinic Professional Association in Jackson, Tennessee, a multi-
specialty group practice of more than 130 physicians in 25 specialties 
and sub-specialties in 14 West Tennessee locations.
  In addition to his medical career, in which he was twice selected by 
his peers as among the ``Best Doctors in America'' and once as one of 
``America's Top Physicians,'' Ron has held leadership responsibilities 
in a variety of educational, medical, religious, business and political 
organizations.
  Ron received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee 
Health Science Center and completed residencies both there and at the 
Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a 
member of the American Medical Association and the Tennessee Medical 
Association, and is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. 
Ron also served his country in the U.S. Army as a counter-intelligence 
officer in Vietnam.
  Madam Speaker, Dr. Kirkland and his colleagues bring a unique 
perspective on coordinated care for chronically ill patients, health 
information technology, and quality care to our continuing debate on 
health policy. I look forward to working with my friend Ron Kirkland 
during his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors at AMGA.

                          ____________________