81R1124 JGH-D
By: Craddick H.R. No. 207
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life and legacy of an outstanding physician and
community leader were recognized with the dedication of the Viola
M. Coleman Family Medicine Clinic in Midland on August 15, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman was born in New Iberia, Louisiana, on
September 25, 1919; she earned her bachelor's degree in education
from Southern University in 1939 and her medical degree from
Meharry Medical College 10 years later; after interning in New
York, she settled in Midland with her husband, Raymond, and
established a practice in 1951; and
WHEREAS, This pioneering African American doctor resolved to
address the problem of racial segregation in her new community by
opening her waiting room to patients of all races; she went on to
play a critical role in the desegregation of Midland's hospital,
restaurants, and public schools; a strong advocate for minority
students, she helped initiate a Head Start program and worked to
improve high school graduation rates; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of a distinguished career, Dr.
Coleman served as medical chief of staff at Midland Memorial
Hospital (MMH) and was instrumental in the creation of an emergency
medical technician program at Midland College; she continued to
maintain her private practice until 1998, when MMH bought her
office and established a community clinic there; not yet ready to
retire, she joined the clinic staff and went on seeing patients
until she was 85; in recognition of her civic leadership and
exceptional achievements, she was accorded the Thomas Jefferson
Award for Public Service, and the Viola M. Coleman High School in
Midland was named in her honor; and
WHEREAS, Administered by Midland Community Healthcare
Services, the clinic in which Dr. Coleman practiced and which now
bears her name has undergone extensive renovation in order to
better serve the people of Midland and the surrounding area; the
Coleman Clinic provides high-quality medical treatment on a
sliding-fee scale and offers such services as preventive health
care, annual checkups, dental care, and management of chronic
illnesses, as well as access to health education, financial
counseling, and social services; and
WHEREAS, For more than 50 years, Dr. Viola Coleman set an
inspiring example of civic engagement, compassion for others, and
commitment to the highest standards of her profession, and it is
indeed fitting that this outstanding medical facility should pay
tribute to her memory; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of the Viola M.
Coleman Family Medicine Clinic in Midland; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the staff of the clinic as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.