Dr. Cynthia Byrd, Purnell Museum executive director, said about 50 people were on hand for the opening, most of whom had first hand dealings with LaMar.
“So many people from his life came and I was so glad they were still around,” she said.
In addition to LaMar’s son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Suzanne LaMar, Byrd said two former nurses, along with the physician who took over his practice and numerous patients were on hand to remember the man who served as Snow Hill’s town doctor for almost 60 years.
“He was the last general family doctor who was certified to deliver babies at Peninsula Regional Medical Center,” she said. “That was back when a general practitioner was general. He had to do everything … you didn’t have specialists.”
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Dr. LaMar served the community of Snow Hill long and well, and his life should be commended and honored for his devoted service; however, it should be noted that he continued to practice medicine long past his ability to practice it competently. His ability to diagnose life threatening illnesses and diseases was so diminished in his later years, that it cost some of his patients their lives.
ReplyDeleteDr. LaMar wasn't Snow Hill's only family doctor. Dr. Cohen served as Snow Hill's other family doctor at the same time as Dr. LaMar. Only he died sooner than Dr. LaMar. Dr. Cohen both delivered babies at the hospital(my older brother in 1949, and my sister in 1965) and at expectant mother's homes. My other sister and I were both delivered at home by Dr. Cohen in 1951 & 1953. Like Dr. LaMar, Dr. Cohen had an office at his home, but unlike Dr. LaMar, Dr. Cohen's office was actually inside of his house that he lived in. It was never a good thing if you were taken to the doctor back in those days. There was always a huge needle (not the little ones they "pinch" you with now-a-days), or stitches involved.
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