Newspapers / The Kings Mountain Herald … / Oct. 15, 1992, edition 1 / Page 11
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EL Thursday, October 15, 1992-THE KINGS MOUNTAIN HERA'.D-Page 11A McGILL From Page 1-A The first office of McGill Clinic was the former storeroom over Kings Mountain Drug Company. The steps were so steep that any. patient who made it to the top was told he already passed the first heart exam, a stress test. ; McGill was joined in his prac- tice by his brother, Dr. Kenneth McGill, at the Watterson Street clinic built in 1963. After Kenneth McGill's departure for the mission field, Dr. C.H. Adams and Dr. FJ. Sincox joined the practice at this location. The late Mary Farr was Dr. John's nurse for 28 years and Marie Sigmon was Dr. Kenneth's nurse nine years. Louise Lynch worked in the laboratory for sever- al years. George McClain went to work with "Dr. John" as custodian and stayed 41 years. Others who have been associat- ed with McGill Clinic over the years included the late Billie Yarbro, 28 years; Jo Ann Smith and Mary Jo Stewart. Presemt employees are Barbara Evans, Ann Green, Linda Ford, Lavon Smith, Cissy Glass, and Louise Tucker, Dr. Adams' nurse for 28 years and the veteran mem- ber of the nursing staff. It was natural that John Charles McGill, who secretly aspired to play ball, would be a doctor. Born and reared in a medical family in Clover, SC, his father, Dr. W. K. McGill, practiced medicine 50 years. His mother, Elsie Sullivan McGill, and his sister, Elsie Tinkler of Greenwood, SC, were both nurs- es. Brothers Dr. W. K. McGill was a dentist and Dr. Kenneth McGill, who died in November 1991, was a Kings Mountain doctor and served as a missionary in Africa. His three brothers-in-law are physicians. Young John McGill played foot- ball at Clover High. The 126- pound guard on the football team spent his summers sweeping floors at the cotton mill and working in grocery stores and on his uncle's farm in York County. He met his bride, Mabel Hamilton, at Erskine College. One of the thrilling experiences of his service in Japan with the Army Medical Corps was meeting Helen Keller when she came with her companion, Helen Thompson, ~to-his- office for an injection. He developed an admiration for the Japanese people during his term as health officer and still speaks a few Japanese phrases. In October 1950 John and Mabel were married. McGill said that area-physicians were highly supportive of a young doctor in Kings Mountain in the PARK GRACE From Page 1-A Mrs. Mauney said she agreed with the idea and would welcome citizen input. In other action Monday, the board: n Received its annual au- dit report from Dixon, Odom and Company. HM Heard first reading of policies on instruction and employees use of school vehicles; and approved a new policy on student behavior and responsibilities. BM Approved eight goals for the 1992-93 school year which were a result of the recent education sum- mit in Kings Mountain ‘and Board . Advance in Boone. ~ W Approved participation in the performance based accountability program which must be submitted to Raleigh by March 15. The pro- . gram deals with individual schools improvement plans and differenti- ated pay. B Approved the employment of Sharon Horne, kindergarten teach- er, East! School; « Velrry., Montgomery, teacher assistant, SKATES, Bethware; Donna Martin, after school care, North; and Melinda Green, teacher assis- tant, multi-age, Grover. Bl Approved the transfer of Ina * Blanton, after school assistant, ‘North, to after school lead teacher, Bethware; Dena Allen, after school - care lead teacher to teacher assis- ‘tant, Bethware; and Mary Ann ‘Grant, after school care, North, to ~ exceptional children’ teacher assis- tant, KMHS. BM Accepted the resignation of ~ Susan Gosselin, English, KMHS; ‘Charlene Haynes, kindergarten, . East; Donna Huffman, custodian- bus driver, KMHS; Shelley Smith, teacher assistant, SKATES, Bethware; and Amber Ballard, teacher assistant, Bethware. ~~ BW Approved several student transfers. a ~ 1950's and helped him get accli- mated. Their first child was born in 1952 in their home at 506 Crescent Hill in a neighborhood full of chil- ‘dren. The McGills added to the population themselves: Frances, Meredith, John, Elizabeth and Hamilton. Dr. John said his brother, Dr. Kenneth, was much beloved by his * patients. He tells the story of a gen- ~ tleman who came to Kenneth's house to find that he was on vaca- tion. He walking hesitantly with his cane to Dr. John's house across the street. Upon greeting Dr. John, the man said, I know you can't cure me but if you'll just patch me up until Dr. Kenneth gets back, I will appreciate it." Dr. John has many stories to tell of a colorful career in medicine. He delivered 2500 babies, often 16 house calls in one day, before giving up the late hours of obstet- rics in the 1980's. During one long stint in the labor room of Kings Mountain Hospital, Dr. John re- ceived a phone call from son, John. , Hearing the sounds of labor and delivery convinced young John to abandon any thoughts of following in his father's footsteps., One memorable delivery took place in the patients’ driveway ncar East School and produced a sct of twins. While traveling from Atlanta, Dr. John's automobile broke down. A passing truck driver picked up John and Mable, hooked the car to the truck and delivered them safely to Kings Mountain. The next day Dr. John called the man to thank “him and was informed; My wife said to tell you that you dclivered one of our four children." House calls were an every day business when McGill first started practicing medicine. The hours were long, often 16-18 hour days, keeping a family practice open sev- en days a week and also staffing the hospital emergency room. Although the practice of medicine has been time consum- ing, McGill has found time for community service. For 40 years he has served on the board of di- rectors of Carolina Federal Savings Bank. He has been an elder and deacon at Boyce Memorial ARP Church. On his Thursdays off he has enjoyed attending Rotary Club meetings. He was chief of staff at Kings Mountain Hospital. Anyone who knows Dr. John outside the clinic knows that one of his great pleasures is to visit the pasturcland in South Carolina where he grows ping trees and soy- bcans and raises cattle. Occasionally he visits the sale barn in York for the cattle auctions. Another favorite activity is attend- ing Erskine College basketball games and Kings Mountain High football’ games. Dr. John has “passed his love of sports to his sons, John and Hamilton, who are avid Braves fans. Family has always been a priori- ty for McGill. His daughter, Frances is an interior designer and music director of Steele Creek Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. Second daughter Meredith is a family law attorney in Raleigh, John is a tax attorney and dental practice management consultant in Charlotte. Elizabeth Cross is a pe- diatrician in Richmond, Va. and is married to a doctor. Hamilton is patient representative at Carolinas Medical Center. Mrs. McGill is daughter of missionaries to India. McGill said that many events over the last four decades have been humbling experiences: A patient called to request a house call and said,"I've called all the other doctors, will you come?" A visit with the Kenneth McGill family in Malawi, Africa to sce the work at the mission hospital. The occasional calls from pa- tients at 3 a.m. in the morning who say "I've been sick two to three weeks. Can you sce me tonight?" Times have changed but McGill says the practice of medicine is __still rewarding.-He- decries an over abundance of federal regulations, funds spent in administration and not in actual patient care. From the simple changes in medicine--the start of the promo- tion of regular exercise as a well- ness measure advocated by Dr. Paul White, President Eisenhower's cardiologist who walked in Charlotte in the 1950s'-- to the most sophisticated-- the organ transplants, genetic engineering and advanced cardiac care and fer- tilization techniques. Too, the practice has progressed ‘from an independent one to one re- plete with federal regulations and paperwork. Like many other physi- cians, he regrets this change as bur- densome to physicians and costly to the patient, since many of the funds spent in administrative costs are not available for patient care. "I count it a very special privi- lege to have been cnabled by the . One to share the work, joys and sorrows of this community,” said McGill. He said there have been hundreds of helpful people who have supported his practice, includ- ing medical associates, hospital ad- ministrators Grady Howard for 31 years, and Huitt Reep. - The people who came to him he will miss the most. "Dr. John is the most compas- sionate man, he cares and in his kind soft-spoken voice shows in- terest for every one who comes to his office," said Hazel Gill, local mortician. "Dr. John, he's one of a kind. His shoes will be hard to fill." We Now Sell PROPANE GAS BRIDGES HARDWARE 100 S. Cansler St., Kings Mountain 739-5461 CHECK OUT THESE GREAT BUYS!!! E18 du E58 Ba carl Was $2,995 985 FORD LTD V-8, automatic, air, PS, PB, 1 owner, loaded, nice 1986 FORD ESCORT Automa iC,. AM-FM cassette, power windows, rear window defroster, 55,00 miles. Was $3995 RNG, miles. 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The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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Oct. 15, 1992, edition 1
11
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