What have the last 30 years taught you? Being a healthcare provider and overseeing a sole proprietorship have been formidable challenges, though I have found that I was fashioned for this adventure. I have learned the importance of having an exceptional staff, and I have been very fortunate to have hard-working, caring office personnel. These 30 years have provided many opportunities to meet a lot of people at their greatest point of need. This has been a huge privilege; it is very humbling to me that someone would trust that I might be able to point them in the right direction, or ease their pain. I’ve learned that the responsibility is even greater than I had imagined – it has required a great deal of discipline to be as prepared as possible in order to help. I’ve also learned quite a bit about people over the years. Life on this side of heaven isn’t always fair, and some have been dealt a lot more blows than others. I’ve noticed that pain and disease bring humility and a new perspective for most. There are tons of needs and there are at least that many people who are very grateful for help. It may just be our beloved Rankin County, but I’ve learned that there are lots of very kind and loving individuals who live here, and I’ve been blessed to have known them. What do you hope for in the next 30 years? At 57, I have no reason to rock this boat – I’m in the trenches and I love what I do. My health is good. I’m pressing forward. A number of my Rankin County predecessors practiced medicine into their 70’s and beyond. Besides, Rae Anne believes I would explode or something if I slow down, and she’s probably right. What do you and your family like to do around <strong>Brandon</strong>? We love spending time with our grandchildren, attending church activities and enjoying the delicious food at our local restaurants. Where do you go to church? We attend Crossgates Baptist Church. What would you tell a new physician about his career choice? Cherish the unique opportunity you have been given to help people. Be deliberate to connect with those who entrust themselves to you, and don’t ever stop learning. What are your hobbies? Favorite pastimes? This may sound strange, but I really enjoy reading about trends in my profession. Learning about the new frontiers in healthcare and keeping up with the current standard of care are very intriguing to me. I dream about the days of my youth that I spent hunting and fishing, but I just don’t do much of that any more. Also, golf is definitely not a good walk spoiled, now that I no longer pay attention to my score. Are there any awards or accolades from your career that you’d like to share? I am board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Physicians. Tell us about your family. Apart from the day I walked an aisle at a church revival in high school, the best day of my life came when I met my wife, Rae Anne. We were both attending a college fellowship at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. I was still at UMMC, and she was finishing her bachelor’s degree at Belhaven. She remains the most important person in my life – she really is the ‘better half’, and those who know her will agree. Our son and two daughters are out of the nest and on their own: Megan (and husband Dustin), a housewife and mother of my two grandchildren, Jonathan (and wife Lacy), a pro golfer finishing his first year on the PGA Tour, and Miriam (and husband Josh), an RN at the Blair Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson, also training to be a nurse practitioner. I have been richly blessed through these individuals, all of whom still live nearby. Are there any organizations or causes you support that you’d like to share information about with readers? Rae Anne and I have supported the Center for Pregnancy Choices for a number of years. I’ve been involved in prison ministry through the Chaplain’s Department at CMCF since 1991. Who do you look to for advice and inspiration? As a Christian, I first and continually look up and look to the Word. Humanly speaking, my single most strategic mentor and advisor has always been my dad, now 89, who still resides in my childhood home. Also, I am close to a number of very wise men in our community whom I trust a great deal. ■ 16 • <strong>Fall</strong> 2014
Cherish the unique opportunity you have been given to help people. Be deliberate to connect with those who entrust themselves to you, and don’t ever stop learning. <strong>Hometown</strong> <strong>Brandon</strong> • 17
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