S*0414 Resolution, By Leatherman
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND HAROLD WATSON GOWDY, JR., M.D., OF FLORENCE,
 ONE OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S MOST DISTINGUISHED PHYSICIANS, FOR THIRTY-FIVE YEARS
 OF SERVICE TO HIS STATE, THE NATION, AND HIS FELLOW MAN IN THE FIELD OF
 MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND, ESPECIALLY REMEMBERING HIS STEADFAST DEVOTION
 TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA'S INFANTS,
 YOUNG CHILDREN, AND TEENAGERS, TO CONGRATULATE AND THANK HIM FOR A "JOB WELL
 DONE" ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, AND TO WISH HIM AND HIS FAMILY THE
 VERY BEST OF HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

   01/27/99  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-5

TO COMMEND HAROLD WATSON GOWDY, JR., M.D., OF FLORENCE, ONE OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S MOST DISTINGUISHED PHYSICIANS, FOR THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE TO HIS STATE, THE NATION, AND HIS FELLOW MAN IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND, ESPECIALLY REMEMBERING HIS STEADFAST DEVOTION TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA'S INFANTS, YOUNG CHILDREN, AND TEENAGERS, TO CONGRATULATE AND THANK HIM FOR A "JOB WELL DONE" ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, AND TO WISH HIM AND HIS FAMILY THE VERY BEST OF HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

Whereas, Harold Watson Gowdy, Jr., M.D., of Florence, was born January 17, 1939, in Charlotte, North Carolina, was reared in Lake City, South Carolina, and in June, 1957, graduated from Lake City High School. He entered the University of South Carolina in the fall of 1957, obtained his undergraduate education, and after being certified as a bona fide, born again "Gamecock", graduated from the University in 1960; and

Whereas, Harold Watson Gowdy, Jr., undertook the study of medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, graduated in 1964, and was licensed to practice medicine that same year. His internship began at Greenville General Hospital, Greenville, and he completed a South Carolina Rotating Internship in 1965; and

Whereas, from 1965 to 1967, Dr. Gowdy was on active duty in the United States Air Force, holding the rank of Captain and serving as Chief, Air Force Clinic, Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas. Dr. Gowdy later trained as a resident at Emory University School of Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, and Henrietta Egleston Hospital for Children, and completed his residency in July, 1969; and

Whereas, Dr. Gowdy was certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in December, 1973. He was Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Spartanburg Regional Hospital, from 1986 to 1988, and, simultaneously, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Mary Black Memorial Hospital. He is a member of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the South Carolina Public Health Association; and

Whereas, Dr. Gowdy's love of medicine and devotion to children led him to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control where, beginning July 17, 1992 until his retirement, he served as Public Health Director for the Pee Dee Health District; and

Whereas, as Public Health Director for the Pee Dee Health District, Dr. Gowdy was instrumental in reducing infant mortality by implementing a Fetal Infant Mortality Review process which determined gaps in service and developed ways to close those gaps, resulting in fewer fetal deaths. He was active in efforts to reduce teenage pregnancy by developing a teen abstinence program called "It's O.K. to Wait" that, after being implemented in many of our schools, resulted in the decline in pregnancy rates among teens in the district. Dr. Gowdy also placed a priority on childhood immunization to the extent that the rate of immunization increased from forty-eight percent to ninety percent of children two years and older during his tenure as Director; and

Whereas, the improvement of public health throughout the district during his tenure, the personal achievements of members of the Pee Dee Health District staff under his leadership, and the admiration and respect in which he is held by his peers and all who know him speak volumes about the courage, character, professionalism, and devotion to duty of this truly outstanding gentleman and physician; and

Whereas, Dr. Gowdy is married to Novalene Evans Gowdy. They have four children, Harold Watson Gowdy III, Laura Gowdy Smith, Caroline Evans Gowdy, and Elizabeth Truesdale Gowdy, and two grandchildren. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate hereby commend Harold Watson Gowdy, Jr., M.D., of Florence, one of South Carolina's most distinguished physicians, for thirty-five years of service to his State, the nation, and his fellow man in the field of medicine and public health and, especially remembering his steadfast devotion to improving the health and quality of life for South Carolina's infants, young children, and teenagers, congratulate and thank him for a "job well done" on the occasion of his retirement, and wish him and his family the very best of health and happiness in the years to come.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Harold Watson Gowdy, M.D., of Florence.