Bill Text: NY J00532 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 532 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Mourning the death of Dr. Doris L. Wethers, visionary physician, tireless advocate, and devoted member of her community

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 40-23)

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-27 - ADOPTED [J00532 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J00532-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 532

BY: Senator MAYER

        MOURNING  the  death  of  Dr.  Doris  L.  Wethers,
        visionary physician, tireless advocate, and  devoted
        member of her community

  WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
commend  and  recognize  those  esteemed  individuals within the medical
community for their extraordinary and  sustained  contributions  to  the
progress of medicine and the improvement of life; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  great  sorrow  and  deep  regret  that  this
Legislative Body records the passing of Dr. Doris L. Wethers, noting the
significance of her purposeful life and accomplishments; and

  WHEREAS, Dr. Doris L. Wethers, of the neighborhood of Hudson Heights
in Manhattan, New York, died on Monday, January 28, 2019, at the age  of
91; and

  WHEREAS,  Doris  Louise  Wethers was born to Dr. William and Lillian
(Wilkinson) Wethers on December 14, 1927, in Passaic, New Jersey;  after
her  parents' divorce, she and her mother and sister moved to Washington
Heights in Manhattan; and

  WHEREAS, After graduating from George Washington High School,  Doris
L.    Wethers  earned  her  Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from
Queens College; in 1952, she became the third black woman to receive her
Doctor of Medicine degree from the Yale School of Medicine; and

  WHEREAS, For the next decade, Dr. Doris L. Wethers practiced private
medicine in pediatrics in an office next to her father's; in  1958,  she
became the first black attending physician at Saint Luke's Hospital; and

  WHEREAS,  Dr.  Doris  L.  Wethers  then  held  the  title of Medical
Director for Speedwell Services for  Children  from  1961-1973,  and  as
Director  of  Pediatrics  and  founder of sickle cell anemia programs at
Knickerbocker Hospital (1965-1973), Sydenham Hospital  (1969-1974),  and
St. Luke's Hospital Center (1974-1979); and

  WHEREAS,  In  this capacity, Dr. Doris L. Wethers conducted research
and helped draft landmark legislation in New York to  require  screening
of infants for the disorder; in 1999, she officially retired as Director
of Saint Luke's sickle cell program; and

  WHEREAS,  Through her steadfast efforts, the average life expectancy
of children born with sickle cell anemia grew from about 18 to  50;  the
increase was attributed largely to early detection, infection prevention
through  the  use  of  penicillin  and  other  breakthroughs that helped
mitigate pain and prolong life; and

  WHEREAS, In 1987, Dr. Doris L. Wethers was named the Chairwoman of a
National Institutes of Health panel which  recommended  routine  testing
for  newborn  babies  regardless  of  race or ethnicity; she also helped
establish the Foundation for  Research  and  Education  in  Sickle  Cell
Disease; and


  WHEREAS,  In  addition  to  her monumental work for several New York
City hospitals, Dr. Doris L. Wethers was also a  clinical  professor  at
what  is  now known as the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Columbia University; and

  WHEREAS, Dr. Doris L. Wethers always wanted to be a  physician;  she
lived  an immensely beautiful life built on care, kindness, and respect,
touching the lives of so many people within her community; and

  WHEREAS, Predeceased by her husband,  Dr.  Garvall  H.  Booker,  Dr.
Doris  L.   Wethers is survived by her two devoted sons, Buddy and David
Boyd; and three treasured grandchildren, as well as numerous friends and
colleagues who will long cherish her memory; and

  WHEREAS, As a leader in her profession, Dr. Doris L. Wethers  proved
herself to be a great asset to medicine and to the health and welfare of
the citizens of the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout  her distinguished career, Dr. Doris L. Wethers
served her patients with compassion and care;  she  contributed  to  the
maintenance  and  enhancement  of  the  highest  professional standards,
sharing with  others  her  knowledge  and  expertise,  as  well  as  her
dedication and commitment to quality health care; and

  WHEREAS,  Through her boundless energy and profound words of wisdom,
Dr.  Doris L. Wethers' legacy of true grace  and  infinite  selflessness
and  kindness,  will  shine  on  through  her  family's  vivid and happy
memories; her shining light and strength will forever serve as a  beacon
of  love  and  hope  for all who were privileged to have known and loved
such an amazing and dynamic woman; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn  the  death of Dr. Doris L. Wethers, visionary physician, tireless
advocate, and devoted member of her community; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of Dr. Doris L. Wethers.