In Memory of Senator Pat McGee

We begin this e-newsletter with sad news. Senator Patricia (Pat) K. McGee (R-Franklinville), a dedicated champion of rural health care during her 17 years in the state legislature, died Saturday, April 2, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Buffalo at the age of 70. NYSARH board member, Ron Brach, executive director of the NYS Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, recalls Sen. McGee. “Senator McGee was a dedicated activist and leader on behalf of rural health care. Her many triumphs included leadership on the Rural Health Care Workforce Summit in 2001, the Nursing Shortage Task Force in 2004, pushing for financial support for the rural health networks, rural hospitals, and Area Health Education Centers, a public hearing on rural health issues at the first annual NYSARH conference in Binghamton and, most recently, the NYSARH Task Force on behavioral health telemedicine,” shares Brach. Senator McGee will be missed by all.