NCCHC mourns the loss of a correctional health care pioneer and dear friend, Dianne Rechtine, MD, CCHP-A. She passed away on August 6.

Throughout many years with the Florida Department of Corrections Dr. Rechtine was a staunch supporter of quality health care for the incarcerated. She began her tenure with the Florida DOC in 1986 as a prison physician,  ultimately becoming a Regional Medical Director. In the midst of countless budget, staffing, and other difficulties, Dr. Rechtine always stood as a fierce advocate for the betterment of inmate health care.

She was also program director for the Correctional Medicine Fellowship at Nova Southeastern University, where she educated, mentoed, and nurtured future correctional physicians.

Her ties to NCCHC were strong and deep. She was a longtime physician surveyor and member of the Surveyor Advisory Committee. In 2009, she received the Bernard P. Harrison Award of Merit for distinguished service to the field of correctional health care, along with many other distinguished awards.

Dr. Rechtine is remembered as a doer, giver, friend, and leader. “She was wonderfully kind and remarkably dedicated,” said Deborah Ross, CCHP, chief executive officer. “She will be missed throughout NCCHC and the field of correctional health care.”