SCH News

DR. HARRY MCDONALD RETURNS TO CIVILIAN PRACTICE

Dr. McDonald and Ed Gambrell display the flag which flew in a helicopter mission in Afghanistan. The flag will be available for public viewing in the Patient Registration area of Stephens County Hospital.

Toccoa, GA - Called to active duty in October of last year, Dr. McDonald prepared for his departure to Afghanistan after a brief stop over at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. During the six months in Afghanistan, Dr.McDonld served as the flight surgeon for Task Force Red Dog, the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 unit to which his Navy reservist unit was attached. Dr. McDonald holds the rank of captain in the US Navy Reserves and was the senior physician for Falcon Battalion Aid Station as well as the Senior Naval Medical Officer for the entire country. Flying medivac missions and working with combat support hospitals, Capt. McDonald was deployed to the forward base on occasion to work with the forward surgical teams there.

During helicopter mission number 4304 on November 20th, Capt. McDonald requested helicopter pilots, Lt. Col Robert “Pyro” Gadjo and Major Paul “Moses” Kleine, to allow him to send the U. S. flag on board during their mission to Stephens County Hospital. Once the package was received, work began to prepare the flag for public viewing. Deborah Hartley of The Studio & Frame Shop arranged the shadow box display with assistance in folding the flag properly for presentation from William Tucker of the VFW Post in Toccoa.

“The US Flag is a symbol of freedom and democracy around the world. We are honored to have received this unique and special gift from the U.S. troops in Afghanistan. We have felt the impact of Dr. McDonald’s absence and we are glad he has returned back to our community, safe and unharmed.” said Hospital Administrator, Ed Gambrell.

Dr. McDonald returned to full-time practice last week. “Many thanks for my colleagues, Dr’s Varnadore, Hermann and Sincox for providing medical coverage to my patients and especially to the many people who sent letters and packages during my service in Afghanistan. A special thanks to my patients for their continued support and devotion”, says Dr. McDonald.