[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 45 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S2038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO DR. RICHARD STOLTZFUS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
career accomplishments of one of the Commonwealth's most talented and 
devoted medical professionals. Dr. Richard Stoltzfus, who has provided 
thousands of Kentuckians with his medical expertise as an internal 
medicine physician at the Daniel Boone Clinic in Harlan, KY, will 
retire at the end of April after 35 years of dedicated service.
  Although born and raised in Pennsylvania, Dr. Stoltzfus always knew 
life held something different in the cards for him. After completing 
his medical degree at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, 
practicing internal medicine in Darby, PA, completing his residency 
training at Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Philadelphia, and 
volunteering at Hospital Grande Riviere du Nord in Haiti for 6 years, 
Dr. Stoltzfus decided to pursue his goal of providing medical care to 
residents in rural towns where he believed it was needed most. This 
belief is what led him to Harlan, KY, where he began work for the 
Daniel Boone Clinic in August 1976. Along with being a practicing 
physician, he also served as medical director of the Mountain Heritage 
Hospice since its beginning in 1980 to 2000, and was chief of medical 
staff at the Harlan Appalachian Regional Healthcare Hospital during his 
35-year tenure.
  Dr. Stoltzfus's long career shows his passion for helping others not 
only by ridding them of illness, but also by promoting overall wellness 
and health. His definition of health is not just the absence of 
disease, but the presence of physical, social, emotional and spiritual 
well being. Dr. Stoltzfus forms lasting bonds with his patients because 
they can see how much he truly cares.
  Dr. Stoltzfus has said that the years he has spent in Harlan County 
have been the best years of his life. This may be true, but it is also 
safe to say that the contributions of dedicated and special people such 
as him are what make communities like it such wonderful and hospitable 
places to both work and live. I send my best wishes to Dr. Stoltzfus 
and his wife as they move on to the next phase of life: Dr. Stoltzfus 
has said they plan to move to Virginia to be closer to their children. 
I am sure their children will be glad to have more of their father 
around--just as I am sure the whole family is very proud of him and his 
life of accomplishment. I offer my sincerest congratulations to Dr. 
Stoltzfus on an exceptional career.
  Mr. President, the Harlan Daily Enterprise recently published an 
article honoring the career of Dr. Stoltzfus. I ask unanimous consent 
that the full article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

           [From the Harlan Daily Enterprise, Feb. 26, 2011]

            Daniel Boone Clinic Physician To Retire in April

                           (By Nola Sizemore)

       After 35 years of service as an internal medicine physician 
     at the Daniel Boone Clinic, Dr. Richard Stoltzfus will retire 
     at the end of April.
       ``I'd like Harlan County people to know how much I 
     appreciate them making the last 35 years living and working 
     here in Harlan County the best years of my life,'' said 
     Stoltzfus. ``I know I've been able to serve people here and, 
     in turn, I have been blessed by people here in many ways by 
     the show of affection and appreciation my wife and I have 
     received.''
       Stoltzfus said after he finished his residency training in 
     Philadelphia, Pa. he wanted to practice medicine in a place 
     where he felt there was a real medical need--not in an urban 
     area, but a rural area. He said he learned about a job 
     opening in Harlan County from a friend, Dr. J.D. Miller, who 
     was a physician at the Cloverfork Clinic during that time.
       ``I met Dr. Miller in Haiti where I was a volunteer for six 
     years prior to coming to Harlan,'' said Stoltzfus. ``I 
     applied for the position and began work at the Daniel Boone 
     Clinic in August, 1976.''
       Along with being a practicing physician at the Daniel Boone 
     Clinic, Stoltzfus has also served as medical director of 
     Hospice since its beginning. He said in the last few years he 
     had worked as assistant medical director.
       Stoltzfus also served as chief of medical staff at the 
     Harlan ARH Hospital during his tenure.
       ``Hospice is a wonderful organization, and I really believe 
     in it,'' said Stoltzfus. ``A lot of people placed in Hospice 
     have a certain life expectancy and most of the time they 
     exceed that. I believe it's because of the care they receive 
     from the wonderful staff.''
       Stoltzfus said one of his guiding principals, while 
     practicing medicine in Harlan County, had been promoting 
     wellness. He said the definition of health is not just the 
     absence of disease, but it's the presence of physical, 
     social, emotional and spiritual well being.
       ``I can cure a person of pneumonia, but that person can 
     still be sick,'' said Stoltzfus. ``I may refer them to 
     pastors or counselors or help them work on relationships--to 
     promote a wholesome life. I believe in spending time with 
     patients. I've always seen myself on an equal playing field 
     with my patients. As a physician, of course, I have knowledge 
     to share, but I involved my patients in decision making.''
       Stoltzfus said there were many points in the last 35 years 
     of living in Harlan County, and two that stood out in memory 
     were his trip to Washington D.C. with the Harlan Boys Choir 
     when they sang at the inauguration of President George Bush. 
     He said he was proud to be a part of those representing 
     Harlan County to the world.
       ``My family was flooded in 1977,'' said Stoltzfus. ``We 
     lived in Rio Vista and had four feet of water in our house. I 
     remember I had a patient, who had just had a heart attack, 
     that wanted to help me and my wife clean the mud from our 
     home. He wasn't physically able to help, so he sent his wife 
     to help us--that's what Harlan County people do--care about 
     their neighbors. The whole community supported us during that 
     time. Things like that touch your heart. The way the people 
     of Harlan County watch out for each other has always touched 
     me. I love the small town atmosphere evident here in Harlan 
     County.''
       Stoltzfus said after his retirement, he and his wife would 
     be relocating to Virginia to be near their two children. He 
     said he planned to always keep in touch with his friends here 
     in Harlan County.
       ``My coworkers are like family to me,'' said Stoltzfus. 
     ``Harlan County is a wonderful place to raise families. It 
     has values of community and caring which I think some 
     communities have lost. Harlan has been put down by a lot of 
     people; but I've always been proud of Harlan because of what 
     they have to offer here. Our children are well educated and 
     very prepared for their future. I'm very proud of our 
     educators here in the county and the job they're doing. 
     Harlan has a lot to offer and I'd recommend it to everyone. 
     I'm going to miss living and working here.''

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