NEWS RELEASE
December 1, 1998

Former Director of Public Health, Dr. Gerald Rice, Recognized

Michigan Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman, Jr., today commented on news of the death of R. Gerald Rice, M.D., who served as Director of the Michigan Department of Public Health from 1967 to 1970. Dr. Rice died November 29, 1998.

"Dr. Rice was a gifted health professional, whose number one priority was the health and well being of others," said Haveman. "His dedication to children and commitment to improving the lives of families will forever be remembered."

Dr. Rice received his undergraduate degree from Acadia College and his medical education at McGill University in Canada. He earned his MPH from Harvard University.

He was Chief of Maternal and Child Health in Nova Scotia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. He came to Michigan in 1964 as Director of the Michigan Crippled Children's Commission and subsequently served as chief of the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health and the Bureau of Personal Health Services.

Rice served as President of the State Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's directors association. He was one of the most concerned advocates in his field and authored numerous articles on mothers and children. He received numerous awards including the Martha May Elliott award from the American Public Health Association (APHA) in 1977 for outstanding achievement in maternal and child health.

Funeral services will be held December 2, 1998 at the Gorsline-Runciman East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River, East Lansing at 2:00 pm. Interment will be in Coburg, Ontario. The family will receive friends at the Chapel Tuesday from 6-8 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT: Geralyn Lasher
December 1, 1998 (517) 241-2112