The Town of Havana is in dire need of a medical doctor: ‘We’re being flooded with phone calls’

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    A person taking a selfie
    • Dr. Mark Newberry is hanging up his medical coat after working for more than 30 years as the town’s only primary care physician.
    • Havana’s Mayor Eddie Bass told WFSU Newberry is retiring at the end of the year.
    • He leaves 2,000 patients in Havana and South Georgia without a licensed physician.

      See full press release below:

    BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

    Doctor Mark Newberry of Havana is hanging up his medical coat after working for more than 30 years as the town’s only primary care physician.

    Havana Mayor Eddie Bass told WFSU on Tuesday that Newberry is retiring at the end of the year—leaving 2,000 patients in Havana and South Georgia without a licensed physician.

    Bass said he’s actively searching for someone to take over the role.

    “Dr. Newberry did house calls for people, but he ended up stopping that. That was the only service we had for our people, unless you went to the hospital in Quincy, or to the one in Tallahassee,” said Bass.

    The City of Havana is offering to cover the next doctor’s rent at the town’s medical facility and will supply them with free medical equipment to get it started. But the city will not pay the potential new hire a salary.

    Officials hope the position will be filled by December.

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