[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14982]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING DR. WILLIAM JEFFERSON TERRY

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I wish to commemorate and 
celebrate the life and contributions of Dr. William Jefferson Terry of 
Mobile, AL, who was the first pediatric urologist in the State of 
Alabama. He was a nationally known and a well-respected physician.
  Dr. Terry was born in Mobile, AL where he later returned to begin his 
urology practice. He graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama 
and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After receiving his M.D. degree 
from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, he was an intern and 
resident at the University of Kentucky Medical Center; he then served 
as a resident and chief resident in urology at the University of 
Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham, followed by a fellowship in 
pediatric urology at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.
  His valuable contributions to the medical profession have been 
recognized by his colleagues. He was honored by the University of 
Alabama Medical Alumni Association with the 2007 Garber Galbraith 
Medical Political Service Award for outstanding service to the medical 
profession and the 2010 Distinguished Service Award. He was also 
honored by the University of South Alabama Department of Internal 
Medicine as the 2009 John McGehee Excellence as a Teacher Award. The 
Medical Association of the State of Alabama honored him this year with 
the Paul W. Burleson Award presented in recognition of a medical career 
that encompasses not only high ethical and professional standards in 
patient care, but includes extraordinary service to physician 
organizations at the county, State, and national levels. Dr. Terry was 
a delegate to the American Medical Association for 20 years, served on 
the AMA Council on Medical Service, and was chairman of the Alabama 
delegation to the AMA for 7 years. He was active in many issues 
relating directly to the patient-physician relationship and the quality 
of care being delivered.
  In addition to being a remarkable physician, Dr. Terry was a fierce 
advocate for his patients and the medical community. He worked 
tirelessly and successfully to stop the implementation of ICD-10, which 
he and the physicians he served believed was not practical and harmful 
to medicine. He carefully questioned the Affordable Care Act and gave 
of himself extensively towards advancing quality health care. He was a 
wonderful friend and adviser to me. As a voice from the real world of 
medicine, his views impacted my decisions significantly. On a personal 
note, I knew the quality of his practice firsthand as he provided top 
quality care to my mother. He placed his patients first and was a 
tireless worker.
  Senator Bill Cassidy, a fellow physician and friend of Dr. Terry, 
recognized Dr. Terry's commitment to his profession, country, and 
family:

       Beyond serving his family and community, Dr. Terry 
     genuinely cared about the future of the medical profession. 
     He made his passion for creating more sensible public policy 
     a priority, even testifying before Congress and moderating a 
     discussion between physicians, the Centers for Medicare & 
     Medicaid, and the Office of the National Coordinator for 
     Health Information Technology. His contributions to the 
     policy making process are absolutely invaluable.
       I am privileged to say that Dr. Terry was a fellow 
     American, and a colleague as a physician. He was a blessing 
     to many. Remember his widow and children in prayer. We who 
     were blessed look forward to being reunited in heaven.

  Dr. Terry was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, as well as 
a dedicated member of the Dauphin Way United Methodist Church. He was a 
man of God. He dearly loved his family, country, and profession. His 
integrity and work ethic were second to none. Dr. Terry's life 
represented the highest ideals of the serving physician, and he was 
held in the highest esteem and affection by the many he served. He 
leaves surviving him Elizabeth, his wife of 39 years; his three sons, 
William, Miller, and Gordon; and his four granddaughters, Eleanor, 
Sally, Lida, and Eloise.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Terry for his 
dedication and many contributions to the field of medicine.

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