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2020 SESSION

20104404D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 210
Offered February 10, 2020
Celebrating the life of Samuel Hughes Melton, M.D.
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Patrons-- O'Quinn, Adams, D.M., Carr, Cole, J.G., Cole, M.L., Davis, Delaney, Heretick, Hope, Hurst, Jenkins, Kilgore, Morefield, Rasoul, Reid, Rush, Sickles, Simonds, Wampler, Ware and Willett; Senators: Boysko, Chafin, Chase, Cosgrove, Deeds, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Howell, Kiggans, Mason, McDougle, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Peake, Pillion, Reeves, Ruff, Spruill, Stanley, Stuart, Suetterlein and Vogel
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WHEREAS, Samuel Hughes Melton, M.D., commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and a clinician dedicated to the health and well-being of countless individuals throughout the Commonwealth, died on August 2, 2019; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Washington and Lee University, Hughes Melton earned his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of Virginia School of Medicine; he would later earn a master’s degree in business administration when entering a career as a medical administrator; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, Hughes Melton completed medical training and served as a doctor in the United States Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Hughes Melton later settled in Lebanon, where he opened his own clinic, C-Health, PC, to care for the medically underserved in Russell County; he later became board-certified in addiction medicine and specialized in caring for patients with substance abuse disorders at HighPower, PC, in Lebanon; and

WHEREAS, for his dedication to his patients and staff and commitment to providing exemplary care, Hughes Melton was recognized as the 2011 Family Physician of the Year by the American Academy of Family Physicians; and

WHEREAS, after many years as a clinician, Hughes Melton began a career in medical administration at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon as chief medical officer for the Virginia facilities of legacy Mountain States Health Alliance; for his service, he received the Servant’s Heart Award, the highest patient service award granted by Ballad Health; and

WHEREAS, as vice president of Medical Education for the northeastern and northwestern markets of legacy Mountain States Health Alliance, Hughes Melton was instrumental in starting a family medicine residency that brought more physicians to Southwest Virginia; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, Hughes Melton assumed the position of deputy commissioner of the Department of Health; two years later, he was appointed by Governor Ralph Northam to serve as commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; and

WHEREAS, as Virginia’s highest ranking mental health official, Hughes Melton was a national leader for improving mental illness and addiction treatment and touched the lives of innumerable individuals and families in need; and

WHEREAS, Hughes Melton will be dearly remembered and missed by his wife, Sarah; his daughters, Maggie and Claire; his father, Howard; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Samuel Hughes Melton, M.D., commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, honored veteran, and a physician who worked tirelessly for the benefit of others his entire career; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Samuel Hughes Melton, M.D., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.