A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO HONOR DR. GARY B. BELL OF RICHLAND COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, TO EXTEND DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS MORE THAN FORTY YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AS A PHYSICIAN TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND BEYOND, AND TO OFFER BEST WISHES FOR A SATISFYING AND REWARDING RETIREMENT.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly has learned that Gary B. Bell, M.D., of Richland County will retire in May 2024, after a career of over four decades as a distinguished and beloved physician; and

Whereas, a New Testament text, "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required" (Luke 12:48, NKJV), characterizes well the way Dr. Bell has elected to live his life, both in his medical practice and in service to his community; and

Whereas, the son of Leroy and Marie Bell, Dr. Bell is a native of Columbia. He attended school in Richland District One, where he held several leadership positions, including president of the National Honor Society. A 1974 graduate of Columbia High School, he was recognized in 2008 for his contributions to his community, profession, and society when he was inducted into the Richland One Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, pursuing further education, Dr. Bell received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of South Carolina and his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He received the Mortar and Pestle Academic Scholarship Award for outstanding pharmacy student and was a member of Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society. After graduating from medical school, Dr. Bell completed graduate training in internal medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina Hospital; and

Whereas, Dr. Bell is highly regarded in the community, as may be seen by numerous accolades for his quality patient-centered care and volunteerism. He served as medical advisor for the James R. Clark Sickle Cell Foundation Board of Directors and was named Volunteer of the Year in 1991 for the outstanding service he provided for sickle cell patients. Additionally, he volunteered for the Columbia Free Medical Clinic, which provided healthcare services to the underserved and those who could not afford health coverage, and he has strongly supported efforts to help underserved children; and

Whereas, this man of faith is an active member of Longcreek Church of Christ, where he serves as a deacon. During the COVID pandemic, he coordinated with church leadership to provide more than seven thousand meals to homebound seniors and underserved members of the community; and

Whereas, Dr. Bell's volunteerism has reached beyond our national borders to bring hope and healthcare to patients in need. He served on the board for Hope Worldwide South Carolina (past president) and has volunteered as a clinical physician at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the Healing AIDS in Los Angeles; and

Whereas, during his well-earned retirement, the General Assembly hopes that Dr. Bell will find himself more frequently able to indulge in his favorite pastimes of reading, gardening, tending his honey bees and chickens, and traveling with his wife, Benetta; and

Whereas, grateful for the legacy of consistent commitment and excellence Dr. Bell has bestowed on the people of South Carolina, the General Assembly takes great pleasure in wishing him well as he enters retirement and trusts he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor Dr. Gary B. Bell of Richland County on the occasion of his retirement, extend deep appreciation for his more than forty years of distinguished service as a physician to the people of South Carolina and beyond, and offer best wishes for a satisfying and rewarding retirement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Gary B. Bell.

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