Collom & Carney celebrates 70 years
Collom & Carney Clinic Association celebrated 70 years of providing health care to Texarkana and the surrounding areas with an event Wednesday afternoon at the clinic.
“Thank you for coming today to honor the 70th anniversary of Collom & Carney Clinic. It’s a very special place for many of us,” said Tom Simmons, clinic CEO.
Collom & Carney opened in 1947 with eight doctors at a renovated duplex on Main Street in Texarkana, Texas. The
clinic, named after Drs. Spencer Allen Collom and Henry M. Carney, now has more than 600 employees. The more than 100 physicians of various specialties practice at 11 locations in Texarkana, Prescott, Ark., New Boston, Texas, and Wake Village, Texas.
Simmons said the clinic has upheld its commitment to patients.
“A lot of things have happened from 1947 until today. … One thing that’s stayed the same is our commitment to quality care. … It aligns with our philosophy today in putting the patient first,” Simmons said.
Radiologist Dr. Robert McGinnis III discussed his unique connection to the clinic.
“My grandfather (Dr. Robert McGinnis) was recruited to come here in 1968 as the first radiologist. I’m happy to carry on the tradition. Our family has a long history with the clinic, and I’m happy to be a part of it,” McGinnis said.
Bonnie McDowell, who attended the celebration, spoke to the Gazette about Dr. Collom’s saving her 3-year old sister in 1951.
“She was playing and fell off the porch and hurt her hip. She got a bad infection in it. My dad drove her from Wickes, Arkansas, to Texarkana in a log truck, because that’s the only vehicle we had. Dr. Collom operated on her and saved her life. He said she probably would have died without the surgery,” McDowell said.
Mayor Bob Bruggeman of Texarkana, Texas, thanked the Collom & Carney staff.
“It’s an honor to be here with your this afternoon. Collom & Carney is an institution in our area. I commend the work that each and every one of you do here.”