House Resolution 542
By: Representatives Cannon of the 58th, Bennett of the 94th, Au of the 50th, Glaize of the 67th,
Taylor of the 173rd, and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Michele Riggs; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Michele Riggs has diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours
of her time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of her community and state, as
evidenced dramatically by her more than two decades of superlative service with Wellstar
Health System; and
WHEREAS, she began her exemplary career with Wellstar Health System in 2000, serving
at the Cobb and Kennestone hospitals as a board-certified lactation consultant before
becoming the manager of Maternal Infant Support Services in 2005 and later assuming the
role of director of Women's Health Patient Education and Support Services; and
WHEREAS, throughout her career, she has led numerous initiatives to improve breastfeeding
quality outcomes, including securing Baby Friendly Hospital Designation for Wellstar
Kennestone in 2017, establishing a milk depot, implementing human donor milk
supplementation, and creating employee pumping stations across the system; and
WHEREAS, she has been instrumental in standardizing women's education, including
perinatal education classes and support groups, and implementing system-wide patient
education initiatives, resulting in a 50 percent expansion of virtual and in-person class
offerings in English and Spanish; and
WHEREAS, she has further played a key role in the development of multiple programs
designed to improve patient and quality outcomes, including the pilot doula program,
Wellstar's first pregnancy mobile app, and the I Gave Birth initiative, which promotes
maternal health awareness, emphasizes the importance of prenatal and postpartum care, and
expedites medical decision-making; and
WHEREAS, Michele Riggs has served with honor and distinction as part of Wellstar Health
System, and her vision and unyielding commitment to maternal and infant health will be
sorely missed upon the occasion of her retirement; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this
remarkable and distinguished individual be appropriately recognized.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize and commend Michele Riggs for her efficient, effective,
unselfish, and dedicated career service; congratulate her upon the grand occasion of her
retirement; and extend the most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to
Michele Riggs.