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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1976-05-05, Page 24•Dr, Fletcher listening to acclaim, not ills Citizens News, May 5176 -Page 25 50 years' rnedkai service A pian who has spent the past 50 years advising Exeter and area residents what is "wrong" with them, spent Saturday night listening to others telling what was right about him. The occasion was a testiminial dinner for Dr. M. C. Fletcher and he told the audience at the Legion Hall he was simply "overwhelm- ed" by the words of tribute which came from politicians, former classmates, colleagues from throughout Western Ontario and members of the local hospital board. The event had been arranged by officials of the hospital board and members of the area medical fraternity. "We're here to pay tribute to a physician who has devoted his life to the care of Exeter and area residents," Dr. Don Ecker explained in his opening remarks as chairman. Dr. Ecker commented that when the honored guest em- barked upon his medical career, medicine was a vastly different practice than today. Noting that the modern technology was not available, he said Dr. Fletcher had to rely to a large extent on his "God-given senses" to make diagnosis and there were many occasions on which he had to stand by helplessly while a patient was dying because there was no known cure. Huron MP Robert McKinley, yvho brought greetings from Ottawa, said the measure of a man is what he has time for, adding that Dr. Fletcher "mea- sures up tremendously well." He emphasized that this was not a retirement party, and that the veteran physician would be going on the same in the future as he has in the past. Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell announced that a scroll would be presented to Dr. Fletcher by Premier William Davis. He told the audience that he had served a term in the Leg- islature ith Dr. Fletcher's grandson, Doug, who was a page boy last year, and opined that he was a '`chip off the block of his grandfather". The Dashwood area politician said he always told the page boys that "life is an echo - and it all conies back to you" and he suggested that Dr. Fletcher would agree that the best has conte back to hint. Huron Warden Jack Mc- Cutcheon Brussels, remarked that "it is people such as Dr. Fletcher who make this country what it is". He jokingly pointed out that with the closing of hospitals, Dr. Fletcher would have to teach the young doctors in the community what it's like to make house calls. The next speaker was Exeter Mayor Bruce Shaw, who said it was an honor to have a man such as Dr. Fletcher in the com- munity and that it was a unique occasion to gather together to pay respect to a man who has done a job for 50 years. "We're pleased to have them (Dr. and Mrs. Fletcher) as friends as well as professionals in our community," he concluded. Dr. Murray McAdam, Water- loo, representing the Ontario Medical Association, said he had looked back at some minutes of 50 years ago and found that two of the concerns at the time were the increase in commercia- lism in the practice of medicine and also the rising costs of hospital care. "Sone things haven't changed," he concluded. Noting that the OMA would. be celebrating its 100th anniver- sary, he said Dr. Fletcher and his veteran colleagues would be asked to make comment on some of the changes they have ex- perienced through the years as part of that centennial cele- bration. Speaking on behalf of the Huron Medical Society was Dr. W. Harrett, Clinton. He said the two most important things in life were to get what you want. and then enjoy it. Noting that only the wisest achieve the second, he opined that Dr. Fletcher must be in that class as he obviously enjoys his work. Six former classmates of Dr. Fletcher' were invited to attend the function. However, only Dr, Hugh Fletcher of Arva was able to be on hand to represent the UWO Meds class of 1923. Letters of best wishes were received from the other five. who are now scattered across North America. Dr. Hugh Fletcher said if he asked his Exeter namesake to comment on the occasion of his 50th year he would probably remark that "it's just another event in the carrying out of a very useful and satisfying ca- reer-. The Arva doctor termed his Exeter colleague the "essence of organization and precision". He also referred to him as "an exemplary student" a "stalwart of his community" and "possess- ing unquestioned integrity and kindness". Also speaking were Dr. D. Wilcox and Dr. A. McLachlin, London doctors, who paid trib'hte to Dr. Fletcher's dedication and his diagnostic abilities. Dr. John Goddard, Hensall, presented a gift on behalf of the doctors of the area, and noted Dr. Fletcher truly practices "thc art of medicine" and sets that example for his colleagues. South Huron Hospital board chairman Carf Cann also present- ed a gift. Noting that Dr. Fletcher has excelled in the field of service to patient$:. and that he possesses the great qualities that all sue- cuessful .people possess, Cann paid tribute to his life time of service "as a truly, wise and wonderful doctor." • . Mrs. Bev Read " presented Mrs. Fletcher with a bouquet . In replying to the many tri- butes, Dr. Fletcher expressed thanks to his wife and family and to the men in the community who built the local hospital. He said that attending to cases in London three or four times a week was most difficult, particularly when the local medical service dwindled to only he and the late Dr. J. G. Dunlop. He said the opening of the hospital was "a saving factor" to the doctors. He concluded by saying he would remember the night "for the rest of my natural days." Dr. and Mrs. Fletcher with h'bspital board chairman Carf Cann Dr. Fletcher mingles with well-wishers at Saturday's testimonial Tries to .:upIicat accomplishment' do., n to dinner, the leg on Dr. Flctc's chair gave v ay. Hher e fortunrtely e aped un - sea thed. Last year his wife was given one of Exeter's lady of the year awards, and as she was leaving the Burklcy Restaurant after the event, she fell down the front steps and broke her arm. South Huron Hospital board chairman Carl' Cann suggested Saturday night that Dr. M. C. Fletcher was trying to beat his kV ifc's accomplishments when he partially toppled to the floor at a testiminial dinner in his honor at the Legion Hall. Just as people were sitting Nona F CHANGE I '} RATES South Huron Hospital has been instructed by the Ontario Ministry of Health to increase rates for semi -private accommodation effective May 1, 1976. THE NEW RATES AREAS FOLLOWS ACTIVE m 91.00 per d y ONIC - $11.00 per day These rates are over and above the standard ward rate and are payable by patients occupying semi -private rooms. As a result of the Ministry of Health order, South Huron Hospital has, no alternative other than to collect from patients. Supplementary coverage is available from insurance companies and other organizations that provides the difference between the standard ward and semi -private rate. Ccrfrey C .il:on - Chalrri ;n of the Elmer Taylor « Adminiltro t oa rd