LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. David Carlyle Collymore upon the
occasion of his designation as the recipient of the 2009 African Ameri-
can Heritage Award on February 27, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge those exemplary individuals whose purposeful lives
and distinguished careers have been committed to bettering the quality
of life in this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
David Carlyle Collymore upon the occasion of his designation as a recip-
ient of the 2009 African American Heritage Award at a ceremony to be
held on Friday, February 27, 2009, at The Bronx Library Center; and
WHEREAS, A man of singular distinction, Dr. Collymore has continually
demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence, and dili-
gent leadership in his unwavering service to his community and profes-
sion and consequently has been designated for this most prestigious
honor; and
WHEREAS, Born on June 25, 1976, Dr. Collymore is the second son of
parents who immigrated to the United States from the Caribbean Island of
Barbados in the 1960s; he lived the first four years of his life in the
Bronx and the remainder of his formative years were spent in Jamaica,
Queens; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Collymore achieved great academic success at an early age
and in the third grade was selected to be a part of the Exceptionally
Gifted Children (E.G.C.) Program of School District 29 in Queens, New
York; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 10, after completing numerous science projects
on the subjects of cancer and heart disease, Dr. Collymore's dream of a
career in medicine was born; and
WHEREAS, Scoring extremely high on admissions tests to Hunter College
High School, Dr. Collymore attended this prestigious institution from
seventh grade until his graduation in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation, Dr. Collymore enrolled at Howard University
in Washington, D.C., which would prove to be one of the greatest experi-
ences of his life; after taking a heavy course load and maintaining a
stellar G.P.A., he was admitted into the B.S.-M.D. Accelerated Medical
Program which allowed him to enter medical school in the fall of 1996;
and
WHEREAS, While in medical school, an exemplary student, Dr. Collymore
was awarded a National Health Service Corps Scholarship and a W.K.
Kellogg Community Medicine Fellowship; and
WHEREAS, In May of 2000, at the age of 23, Dr. Collymore earned his
medical degree; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his upbringing, Dr. Collymore's parents contin-
uously instilled in him a strong sense of family and community; this
along with a love for children played a major part in his decision to
practice pediatrics in an underserved community; after completing a
three year pediatric residency program at North Shore University Hospi-
tal in Manhasset, New York, Dr. Collymore came to Soundview Health
Center in July of 2003; and
WHEREAS, In less than one year, Dr. Collymore built a loyal patient
panel who were attracted to him because of his proficiency as a physi-
cian, his cultural competency and his ability to relate to his patients
who often viewed him as a role model; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Collymore immediately became involved in committees and
collaborative projects, and after two years was promoted to the position

of medical director of the Soundview Healthcare Network in October of
2005; in this capacity, he oversees the clinical and quality improvement
activities of five health centers, employing more than 30 physicians,
and servicing approximately 25,000 patients; and
WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, Dr. Collymore has been
called upon to contribute his time and talents to countless civic and
charitable endeavors and has always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the
United Community Church of God in Laurelton, Queens, and is very active
in the youth ministry of the church; he is a member of the Board of
Directors and the clinical committee of the Community Health Care Asso-
ciation of New York State, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Board
of Directors of the Clinical Directors Network, the Clinical Affairs
Committee of the Affinity Health Plan, and an Ambassador for the
National Health Service Corps; and
WHEREAS, His dedication to and success in improving the quality of
life for others have resulted in his receiving numerous awards and acco-
lades; among them are a commendation from the Comptroller of New York
City, being named one of the Top Forty Under 40 African Americans by THE
NETWORK JOURNAL, and being designated one of America's Top Pediatricians
by the Consumers Research Council of America; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Ingrid, and his chil-
dren, Jessica, Caitlyn and David Jr., all of whom feel privileged to be
a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, intellect, and commitment as that demonstrated by Dr.
Collymore over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those individ-
uals for the edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. David Carlyle Collymore upon the occasion of his designation
as the recipient of the 2009 African American Heritage Award; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. David Carlyle Collymore.