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S. 886

STATUS INFORMATION

Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Lourie
Document Path: l:\council\bills\ggs\22362ab09.docx

Introduced in the Senate on June 16, 2009
Adopted by the Senate on June 16, 2009

Summary: Dr. Donald E. Saunders, Jr.

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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   6/16/2009  Senate  Introduced and adopted SJ-69

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

6/16/2009

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR DR. DONALD E. SAUNDERS, JR., OF RICHLAND COUNTY ON A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN MEDICINE AND MEDICAL EDUCATION, AND FOR HIS NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIS PROFESSION AND COMMUNITY.

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Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the Senate honors individuals who have made tremendous and invaluable contributions to the Palmetto State; and

Whereas, Dr. Donald E. Saunders, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and Director Emeritus of the University of South Carolina Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, has made a profoundly positive impact on his community as a physician, educator, and patron of the arts, among many other things, and is thereby worthy of high praise; and

Whereas, born June 7, 1931, in Columbia, Dr. Saunders was reared in the capitol city and graduated Magna Cum Laude in three years from the University of South Carolina with degrees in chemistry and English. While at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Saunders garnered recognition for his success by being selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Kappa Sigma Kappa honor societies, the last of which he served as president. Dr. Saunders was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship for a one-year post-graduate study abroad opportunity, but declined the award to pursue a career in medicine; and

Whereas, Dr. Saunders studied medicine at Duke University, where he received the Moseley Scholarship Award and achieved membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. In 1955, Dr. Saunders graduated first in his class from Duke's medical school at the age of 23; and

Whereas, following medical school, Dr. Saunders engaged in a three-year residency in Internal Medicine at Duke Hospital and the Johns Hopkins Hospital. After two years in the United States Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Saunders completed his cardiology training with one year of training under Dr. Paul Wood at the National Heart Hospital in London, England. From 1961 through 1979, Dr. Saunders was engaged in the private practice of cardiology and internal medicine in Columbia; and

Whereas, instrumental in the establishment of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Dr. Saunders authored a book on the school's purpose and path to existence entitled To Improve the Health of the People: An Insider's View of the Campaign for the University of South Carolina School of Medicine as well as a wealth of scholarly writings; and

Whereas, after three years of service as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, in 1979 Dr. Saunders joined the school on a full-time basis as a Professor of Medicine and over the following decades acted as Director of the Cardiology Division, Associate Dean for Planning and Development, Director of the Office of Medicine, Humanities and Society, and Co-founder and Director of the Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities. Dr. Saunders dramatically changed the way medical students are trained, focusing on compassion and ethics to develop generations of kinder, gentler physicians who put patients above all else; and

Whereas, not just a man of science, Dr. Saunders pursued graduate studies in the humanities at the Graduate Institute for Liberal Education at St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also took an active interest in the cultural community of Columbia, serving as a trustee, life trustee, vice president, and president of the Columbia Museum of Art; and

Whereas, in addition to his academic and professional achievements, leadership in medical ethics, community service, and patronage of the arts, Dr. Saunders is the husband of Carol Cook Saunders and father of three adult children: Leslie, Donald III, who is also a physician, and Reid; and

Whereas, Dr. Saunders unparalleled example of scholarship, innovative teaching, advocacy of compassionate healthcare delivery, community service, and love of the University of South Carolina and its medical school have greatly enriched the Palmetto State and command the admiration and respect his fellow South Carolinians. Now, therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate recognize and honor Dr. Donald E. Saunders, Jr., of Richland County on a distinguished career in medicine and medical education, and for his numerous contributions to his profession and community.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Donald E. Saunders, Jr.

This web page was last updated on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 2:46 P.M.