PRINTER'S NO. 761
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
116
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY MILNE, DAVIDSON, MURT, DiGIROLAMO, KINSEY,
CHARLTON, D. COSTA, HENNESSEY, MILLARD, BULLOCK, CALTAGIRONE
AND ROEBUCK, MARCH 6, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 6, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the milestones, achievements and legacy of Dr. Edith
Mitchell of the City of Philadelphia.
WHEREAS, Dr. Edith Mitchell is a clinical professor of
medical oncology at Thomas Jefferson University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell is the director of the Center to
Eliminate Cancer Disparities for the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
at Thomas Jefferson University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell has spent her medical career helping
individuals in medically underserved areas to realize that
simple changes in lifestyle can have a dramatic impact on cancer
care; and
WHEREAS, Through her work, Dr. Mitchell has demonstrated the
importance of community service and outreach, especially to
those individuals who may not have the means to seek out more
conventional medical advice; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell received a bachelor of science degree
in biochemistry from Tennessee State University and her medical
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degree from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, While attending medical school, Dr. Mitchell entered
the United States Air Force and received a commission through
the Health Professions Scholarship Program and entered active
duty after completing her internship and residency in internal
medicine; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell's research in breast, colorectal and
pancreatic cancers and other gastrointestinal malignancies
involves new drug evaluation and chemotherapy, development of
new therapeutic regimens, chemoradiation strategies for combined
modality therapy, patient selection criteria and supportive care
for patients with gastrointestinal cancer; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell is a prominent researcher in her field
and has authored and co-authored more than 100 articles, book
chapters and abstracts on cancer treatment, prevention and
cancer control; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell has received many cancer research and
principal investigator awards, including a Promise Grant from
the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and has served on several
National Cancer Institute review panels, including the Clinical
Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, Among her many honors, Dr. Mitchell has received the
Tree of Life Award from Wellness of You, a Philadelphia
nonprofit organization that recognizes health professionals who
are committed to making a difference in community health; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell was awarded the American Cancer
Society's Cancer Control Award for her significant commitment to
research, education and diversity; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell received the 2011 Practitioner of the
Year Award from the Philadelphia County Medical Society and was
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named the 2012 Humanitarian Practitioner of the Year by the
American Society of Clinical Oncology; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell was inducted into the National
Historically Black College Hall of Fame in 2013 and received the
Octavius Valentine Catto Award for community service to the City
of Philadelphia from the Mann Center in 2014; and
WHEREAS, The National Medical Association, the nation's
oldest and largest professional society for African-American
physicians, appointed Dr. Mitchell as the organization's 116th
president in 2015; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her medical achievements, Dr.
Mitchell is a retired Brigadier General, the first female
physician to attain this rank in the history of the United
States Air Force, having served as the Air National Guard
assistant to the command surgeon for the United States
Transportation Command and Headquarters Air Mobility Command at
Scott Air Force Base in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell has been awarded more than 15 military
service medals and ribbons, including the Legion of Merit,
Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Achievement and
Commendation Medals, National Defense Service Medal and
Humanitarian Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mitchell has transformatively inspired the
youths of Harrisburg who are considering embarking upon military
and STEM professional careers with her visit to the Harrisburg
School District at the invitation of the Harrisburg Chapter of
The Links, Incorporated; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
milestones, achievements and legacy of Dr. Edith Mitchell of the
City of Philadelphia; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor Dr. Edith
Mitchell's decades of service to the medical profession,
promoting equality and eliminating barriers to health care for
underserved populations in this Commonwealth.
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