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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DR. GARY GOFORTH FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE AS A SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY PHYSICIAN, MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES, AND COMMUNITY LEADER, AND TO WISH DR. AND MRS. GOFORTH WELL AS THEY LEAVE THIS SUMMER TO TEACH IN AFGHANISTAN FOR A YEAR.
Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina General Assembly honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to the welfare of this great State's citizenry; and
Whereas, Gary Goforth, M.D., stands among their number as an outstanding public benefactor, one much admired in his role as a medical doctor, serviceman, and community leader; and
Whereas, the young Dr. Goforth was graduated from Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt School of Medicine and received a master's degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. He is a board-certified family physician; and
Whereas, during an outstanding career in the United States Army, he served as a United States Army senior flight surgeon and for two years was the personal physician of the United States Army Chief of Staff. He also earned numerous military decorations, including the Bronze Star for his work with the 82nd Airborne Division during the first Gulf War; and
Whereas, in 1993, Dr. Goforth completed his active duty in the United States Army and joined the South Carolina Army National Guard, where he attained the rank of colonel before his retirement in 2002; and
Whereas, in 1994, he joined the Self Regional Hospital family medicine residency faculty in Greenwood, later becoming the director of the residency program, a position he holds today. In addition, Dr. Goforth serves as medical director of the Greater Greenwood United Ministries Free Medical Clinic and is a board member of the Greater Greenwood United Ministry. To better serve the health needs of patients in a seven-county area, he helped develop and implement the Lakelands Rural Health Network; and
Whereas, Dr. Goforth has been recognized for his outstanding service and his more than twenty-four years in family practice by the South Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, who honored him as 2007-2008 Family Physician of the Year; and
Whereas, believing a man should be involved in the life of his community, Dr. Goforth participates actively in scouting programs, having himself earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He also serves as president and board member of the Emerald City Rotary Club and has received the Service Above Self Rotary International Award; and
Whereas, this committed medical man is just as committed to his church, where he serves as an ordained deacon, orchestra member, and Sunday School teacher. In further service to his God, he has participated in numerous medical mission trips with Volunteers in Medical Missions, often in the position of team leader, to Afghanistan, Nigeria, Mongolia, Ecuador, and other countries; and
Whereas, accompanied by his wife, Kathy, who will teach math at the Kabul International School and College, Dr. Goforth will leave in July for Kabul, Afghanistan, where he will spend a year assisting in the establishment of a family medicine residency program and will work with CURE International Hospital; and
Whereas, grateful for his years of dedicated service, the General Assembly wishes to express its thanks to Dr. Goforth for his continuing efforts to promote healing and sustained good health among the people of South Carolina, as well as among people of other lands. The members bid him Godspeed as he and Mrs. Goforth travel to serve in Afghanistan. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. Gary Goforth for his many years of service as a South Carolina family physician, member of the United States Armed Forces, and community leader, and wish Dr. and Mrs. Goforth well as they leave this summer to teach in Afghanistan for a year.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Gary Goforth.
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