TRIBUTE TO DR. THOMAS E. DOBBS, III
Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 125
(Senate - July 27, 2022) PDF
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise to express deep appreciation
for Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, a friend and
leader to all of the frontline healthcare workers in my State.
Dr. Dobbs joined the Mississippi State Department of Health as the
State health officer in December 2018. After 3\1/2\ years and a global
pandemic that none of us saw coming, he will soon step down from his
role and return to the clinical side of medicine.
Mississippi's State health officer is responsible for directing
public health activities related to the State's many health challenges,
which included my State's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Dobbs' experience and his expertise made him the perfect
professional to lead Mississippi through this pandemic. With a belief
that each person in Mississippi was his patient, Dr. Dobbs worked
tirelessly throughout his tenure to care for our nearly 3 million
residents. From the start, Dr. Dobbs was steadfast in informing and
advising citizens, policymakers, and healthcare providers on the best
practices to combat the deadly coronavirus. He never wavered despite
evolving challenges and so many tragic COVID-related deaths.
He is one of the country's most respected public health officers,
having earned a stellar reputation for his clinical work in the field
of infectious diseases. Dr. Thomas Dobbs proved himself to be the
leader Mississippi needed during a very difficult time. I am saddened
to see Dr. Dobbs leave the Mississippi State Department of Health, but
I am confident he will continue to do great things.
There are not enough thanks in the world that could cover all that
Dr. Dobbs has done for Mississippi, but I say from the bottom of my
heart, thank you, Dr. Dobbs. Your service and sacrifice on behalf of
Mississippi reflects well on you and your profession.
I am also grateful for his wife, Dr. Kim Dobbs, and their two sons,
Wyn and Max, for sharing so much of their husband and father during
this time.
As Dr. Dobbs departs the State department of health, I look forward
to continuing to work with him and the new State health officer, Dr.
Dan Edney, in making Mississippi healthier and happier.
Thank you again so much, Dr. Dobbs.
I yield the floor.