HR 542: Riggs, Michele; commend

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.