[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 15 (Monday, January 26, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DR. PHILLIP LEE ROBERTS

 Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, I wish to join with my colleague 
Senator Chambliss to honor in the Record of the Senate Dr. Phillip Lee 
Roberts, oncologist and medical director of the Phoebe Cancer Center at 
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, GA.
  For decades, Dr. Roberts has diagnosed and treated patients in 
southwest Georgia with a record of care and devotion that is above and 
beyond the call of duty in his profession. In recognition of his 
remarkable work in the field of cancer treatment, Phoebe Putney Health 
System is dedicating its new cancer pavilion as the Phillip L. Roberts, 
M.D. Cancer Pavilion.
  When Dr. Roberts began his practice in Albany in 1980, there were few 
oncologists south of Macon, GA. At that time, a diagnosis of cancer was 
often a death sentence. Dr. Roberts has seen the progression of cancer 
treatment from the earliest drugs and radiation treatment to the modern 
methods now used to fight the disease. Today, the progression of 
medicine and technology allows this remarkable doctor to deliver a 
message of hope rather than despair to his patients.
  Through the years, as technology and cancer treatments have advanced, 
his steadfast dedication to his patients and his profession has 
remained strong. Well into his golden years, Dr. Roberts is still at 
the helm of one of the busiest cancer centers in the southeastern 
United States. He has yet to slow his pace or his professional battle 
against the disease he fights daily on behalf of his patients. Not only 
does he continue a full schedule with patients at Phoebe, he travels 
weekly to treat patients at clinics in outlying rural areas, where 
access to health care is still limited and unattainable for many due to 
economic and social roadblocks.
  I am pleased to join Senator Chambliss in acknowledging the great 
work that is done each day at the Phoebe Cancer Center and the efforts 
of Dr. Roberts over the past 36 years to provide high quality cancer 
care. Dr. Roberts certainly deserves this recognition, and we offer our 
sincerest congratulations on the dedication of the Phillip L. Roberts, 
M.D. Cancer Pavilion.

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