[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 170 (Tuesday, November 29, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF DR. SHETAL SHAH AND HIS EXPERTISE IN CHILD HEALTH 
                                 POLICY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 2016

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a constituent, 
physician and researcher, Dr. Shetal I. Shah, MD, FAAP for his vigorous 
advocacy efforts in support of child and newborn health. For over 10 
years, Dr. Shah has been an engaged physician-advocate in his roles as 
Legislative Chairman and Executive Committee member of the Long Island 
Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. A lifelong member of New 
York's Third Congressional District, Dr. Shah's medical expertise--
coupled with his policy insights and practical, first-hand knowledge of 
how pediatric and neonatal medicine are practiced in the region--have 
been a vital resource for my office in interpreting child health 
legislation. His work has provided practice insights into how national 
policy will directly affect newborns, children, pediatricians and 
health-care systems across my congressional district and across Long 
Island.
   Throughout my tenure in the United States Congress, Dr. Shah has 
volunteered his time to work with my office to increase pediatric 
medication safety, support pediatric stem cell research, improve rates 
of life-saving immunizations, expand access for children to 
pediatricians, and reduce the effects of gun violence and tobacco on 
children. His work to promote increased funding for pediatric research, 
international vaccination funding and healthcare for children has also 
been helpful to my work in Congress.
   I was particularly grateful to receive Dr. Shah's assistance during 
the debate regarding passage of the 2010 Patient Protection and 
Affordable Care Act. He was a vocal proponent of how Medicaid 
Expansion, partnered with Health Insurance Exchanges and the State 
Child Health Insurance Program--would significantly increase health 
care access and preventive care for children on Long Island and across 
the nation. These meetings helped me to critically evaluate this 
signature legislative achievement.
   Dr. Shah has been well recognized for his advocacy efforts over the 
past decade and I am thankful to be able to extend my appreciation to 
him for his work. Dr. Shah is co-chairman of the Advocacy Committee of 
the Society for Pediatric Research, a selective organization consisting 
of the leading pediatric scientists, policy analysts and researchers in 
the nation. He is also an appointed member of the Pediatric Policy 
Council, a consortium of pediatric advocates from the leading medical 
organizations dedicated to child health. His work in health policy on 
behalf of children has been honored by the American Medical 
Association, the March of Dimes, the American Academy of Pediatrics and 
the Institute for Medicine as a Professor at Columbia University. A 
former Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Shah is well prepared for his work. A 
1996 graduate of Princeton University, Dr. Shah subsequently earned his 
medical degree--with honors in research--from Cornell University 
Medical College. He completed a three-year residency in pediatrics at 
Duke University School of Medicine followed by a three-year fellowship 
in neonatal-perinatal medicine at New York University School of 
Medicine before returning to Long Island. Currently he is a Clinical 
Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatal Medicine at New York Medical 
College and a neonatologist at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital.
   Mr. Speaker, as I prepare to leave the United States Congress, I 
wish to thank impactful and engaged citizens such as Dr. Shah for his 
work with my office on behalf of children. His expert child health care 
policy analysis has helped elevate and focus debate on our most 
important constituents--our children.
   On behalf of New York's third congressional district, I ask my 
colleagues to join with me in congratulating Dr. Shetal Shah, MD FAAP 
and extend to him thanks on behalf of a grateful United States 
Congress.

                          ____________________