1 HR297
2 214264-1
3 By Representative Rafferty
4 RFD:
5 First Read: 17-MAY-21
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1 214264-1:n:05/17/2021:SM/sm LSA2021-1370
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8 MOURNING THE DEATH OF DR. PAUL O'LEARY.
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10 WHEREAS, we note with profound sorrow the death of
11 Dr. Paul O'Leary of Homewood, Alabama, on May 12, 2021, at the
12 age of 45; and
13 WHEREAS, born June 2, 1975, Dr. O'Leary was a highly
14 respected and beloved psychiatrist in Birmingham, Alabama, who
15 was also esteemed as an educator and community leader; and
16 WHEREAS, he practiced psychiatry at SHKO Medicine,
17 which he owned and operated, serving The University of Alabama
18 at Birmingham and three other mental health hospitals in
19 Birmingham, including Children's Hospital of Alabama; he
20 served as an adjunct professor teaching Forensic Psychiatry at
21 The University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of
22 South Alabama; he had also been affiliated with the Department
23 of Juvenile Justice in Georgia, treating incarcerated youth;
24 the Medication Assisted Treatment Clinic at Cooper Green
25 Hospital, treating those struggling with addiction; and a
26 treating physician at Affiliated Mental Health Services;
27 additionally he served as a forensic psychiatrist specializing
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1 in cases of life without parole and death penalty cases
2 involving youth and adolescents and as an expert witness in
3 court-martial cases for the United States Air Force, Navy, and
4 Army, serving in more than 15 court-martial cases since 2015;
5 he provided a forensic clinical rotation for UAB residents,
6 allowing them the opportunity to shadow him on evaluations and
7 to go with him to trials; and recently he volunteered his time
8 to Project ECHO with Children's Hospital of Alabama, where he
9 had the opportunity to teach psychiatry to pediatricians; and
10 WHEREAS, Dr. O'Leary was a member of six
11 professional organizations, holding executive positions in
12 several, including becoming the youngest Assembly Speaker of
13 the American Psychological Association, President-Elect of the
14 Southern Psychiatric Association, Vice Speaker of the Board of
15 Censors, Counsellors and Delegates for the Medical Association
16 of the State of Alabama, and the President of the Birmingham
17 Psychiatric Society; and
18 WHEREAS, Dr. O'Leary's many civic and community
19 engagements involved annually traveling to Capitol Hill to
20 address concerns in health care and working closely with State
21 Representatives on bills protecting children; he was a patron
22 for many organizations in the community, including the
23 Birmingham Zoo and Oasis Counseling for Women and Children;
24 and
25 WHEREAS, his favorite pastime included hosting
26 lavish dinners and enjoying his peers and collegues; he was a
27 social butterfly who enjoyed spending time in the kitchen,
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1 crafting unique dishes, and using his savory creations as a
2 door to conversation; and
3 WHEREAS, he leaves to mourn his death his beloved
4 wife, Malinda Blair O'Leary; two young daughters, Sophia and
5 Sylvia; and many other devoted relatives, friends, collegues,
6 and admirers; and
7 WHEREAS, Dr. O'Leary was a highly valued member of
8 the medical community who touched the lives of countless
9 citizens in the Birmingham community and in the State of
10 Alabama; through the years, he earned widespread respect among
11 colleagues and the families of patients, and his legacy of
12 competency and caring will long endure; now therefore,
13 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
14 THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That the death of Dr. Paul O'Leary
15 is recorded with sadness, and this resolution is offered in
16 highest tribute and appreciation along with heartfelt sympathy
17 to his grieving family.
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