Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 21, 1990 TAG: 9005210087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-5 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Within the next few years I am sure Virginia, as well as other states, will remove financial impediments to obtaining health care," said Buttery in his commencement address to the 61 graduates of the College of Health Sciences of Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley. The college's 7th annual commencement was held Sunday at the Roanoke Civic Center.
"Many medical and professional organizations, including business, are demanding changes in the health care system," Buttery said.
He said the state board of health has made continuing access to health care for all Virginians one of its major goals. And he urged all graduates to pass on to the board any ideas on how to improve health care.
An an indication of the high cost of medical care, Buttery said that in 1956 an office visit to a doctor was $2 or $3, and the doctor's office would have one or two office personnel.
"Now office visits are $25 to $35 and the office staff are three to five people for the same patient population," he said.
Most of the office personnel today, he said, work at "completing paperwork, not helping to care for people."
Several of the graduates won academic and clinical awards.
Scott D. Densley won an academic and a clinical award for excellence in the paramedic and emergency health sciences program.
Beth Ann Carson also won academic and clinical awards - in the field of physical therapy.
Other awards for excellence went to Deanna K. Boone, in the nursing program; Linda Crawford, in the practical nursing program; Catesby Taliaferro Gross for the academic respiratory care program; Tammy A. Pace and Joseph E. Pellant in clinical respiratory care; and J. Matthew Fukumoto for the health services management program.
Diplomas were presented by Dr. Harry C. Nickens, president of the College of Health Sciences.
by CNB