Thompson retiring after years of service

Fred Thompson
Fred Thompson

— After 35 years of service to Gravette and the surrounding community, Fred Thompson is retiring from his position as physical therapist at Ozarks Community Hospital in Gravette.

“We are going to miss Fred as an individual and a therapist. The doctors are going to miss his services and I’m certain the patients he provided care to will miss him,” said Paul Taylor, CEO of the Ozarks Community Hospital network. “It has been a pleasure working with him. The first thing you learn about Fred is that he’s a true gentleman.”

Thompson came to the Gravette Hospital in 1976 and has spent most of his career serving the Gravette community.

“I have really liked working with the people in Gravette and this whole area. The physicians and staff have been great to work with in both administrations. I’ve enjoyed working with the patients,” he said.

Thompson graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in physical education in 1968 and went on to earn a degree in physical therapy from Loma Linda University, in southern California, in 1970. He worked briefly as a therapist in California and then spent five years working in South Carolina before moving to work at theGravette Hospital and be closer to family.

In Gravette he practiced general physical therapy as well as specializing incardiac rehab - providing many electrocardiograph tests over the years. Thompson is also one of the few therapists who does woundcare, according to Taylor.

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Fred Thompson upon graduating from Loma Linda University with a degree in physical therapy in 1970.

When the Gravette Medical Center Hospital closed its doors in 2005, Thompson went to work for Mercy Hospital in Rogers and its Gravette Satellite Clinic. In 2008 he returned to the Gravette Hospital after it was reopened by Ozarks Community Hospital of Springfield, Mo.

“I’d like to thank Fred for extending his time of service beyond what he intended,” said Taylor, explaining that Thompson intended to retire some time ago but stayed on to help get the organization started in Gravette. “He isan exceptional therapist and we are going to miss him.”

Thompson said he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Carrie, his daughter and sonin-law and his three grandchildren in hisretirement. He also plans to do some catching up with projects around the house.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all the people I’ve worked with in the area, both patients and staff. It’s been such a pleasure to be there and provide services at Gravette.”

Former patients, friends and community members are invited to a retirement party in the hospital cafeteria at 11:30 a.m., Oct. 7. Attendees are encouraged to bring special remembrances and stories for a memory book.

News, Pages 2 on 10/05/2011