[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23981]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     TRIBUTE TO KAREN NYSTROM MEYER

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, Karen Nystrom Meyer was appointed 
to serve as the Executive Vice President of the Vermont Medical Society 
(VMS) in 1988. Throughout her tenure in office, Karen's work has been 
characterized by great integrity, compassion and a strong understanding 
of the critical role physicians play in improving the quality of life 
in the Green Mountain State. Many Vermonters shared my sense of loss 
when Karen Meyer recently announced her resignation in order to accept 
a new position in the field of higher education.
  The fourteen years she led the society were years of great change and 
accomplishment for the organization. It was Karen's first job as an 
office assistant in a large internal medicine practice that gave her a 
real appreciation for the struggles and rewards of practicing medicine. 
The first woman executive of a State medical society in the country, 
she completely restructured the governance of the society moving from 
the traditional House of Delegates representative structure to an 
annual membership meeting format where each VMS member may participate 
in making Society policy. While Vermont was the first State to 
restructure its governance structure in this way, many other State 
societies have followed Vermont's lead.
  During Karen's tenure at VMS, the society was able to achieve many of 
its policy initiatives at the State and Federal level. These include 
passing the ``Clean Indoor Air Act,'' supporting lead screening for 
children, ensuring coverage of clinical trials, increasing access to 
health care for Vermonters, funding anti-tobacco programs, and 
developing a strong education program for physicians around end-of life 
care.
  Karen was also instrumental in helping to establish the Vermont 
Program for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC). Over the years, VPQHC has 
achieved national recognition for its important work developing 
clinical guidelines, reporting on health care quality in Vermont and 
educating physicians and practitioners. Karen has also demonstrated 
outstanding leadership and gained national recognition for her work 
with the American Medical Association and the American Association of 
Medical Society Executives, where she has participated on many work 
groups and policy teams.
  Prior to becoming Executive Vice President of the Vermont Medical 
Society, Karen was the Commissioner of Housing and Community Affairs 
for the State of Vermont. As Commissioner, she worked tirelessly to 
increase the availability of affordable housing in Vermont. However, I 
am sure she will say that her most enjoyable job was working for me as 
a legislative assistant in the 1970's when I represented Vermont in the 
House of Representatives. Based on our work together, I can personally 
attest to her grace, competency and sense of humor--all of which are 
the key characteristics of a successful public servant.
  While Karen is leaving the medical society, she will continue to play 
an important role in improving the social fabric of Vermont. She has 
accepted a new position at the University of Vermont where she will 
work with the acting President to develop a renewed sense of mission 
for the University. I know that I speak for thousands of Vermonters in 
thanking her for extraordinary service to the Vermont Medical Society 
and conveying our best wishes in her future endeavors.

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