Exceptional People in a One-Horse Town : The “Boss” - William R. Purcell, M.D.

                                                 

Sixth in a series. Long overdue. As I have written this series of posts about "exceptional people in a one-horse town”, I am cognizant of the fact that some will read these and think, "These are not really 'exceptional' people, in fact, they are rather 'ordinary' folks. Sports 'heroes', movie & television 'stars', media personalities,... those are the truly 'exceptional' people". I guess it just depends upon one's definition of "exceptional". I'll stick with mine. 

For the Record:

“William R. Purcell, MD, FAAP is a native of Laurinburg, North Carolina, and a retired pediatrician, who practiced for 36 years. In addition, he served on the Laurinburg City Council, as Laurinburg mayor for 10 years and in the North Carolina Senate for over 15 years. In 2009, he was voted 9th most effective member of the state senate, and will receive the Senior Advocacy Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2015. He is married with four children and eight grandchildren.” (Feel free to Google him for more information)

My Perspective:

     Dr. William R. Purcell, is without a doubt, one of the most exceptional people I have ever met. He was a pioneer in the practice of a pediatrics in the state of North Carolina. He left a prestigious pediatric practice in Charleston, S.C. and returned to his hometown of Laurinburg because, as he said, “that was where I was needed”. He served in leadership roles not only in the medical community, but also in his church, as well as in the city and state governments.  He repeatedly championed and led many worthwhile causes and charities. As his daughter Holly recently stated, he was “an agent for good”. That pretty much sums it up. 

     I was most fortunate to be asked to join him and Dr. Jim Smithwick in their pediatric practice in 1976. Over the years I have called him Bill, Dr. Purcell when in a professional setting, and occasionally Senator Purcell when we met while he was serving in his elective capacity. However, I have never called him Billy Bob, as have many of his  lifelong friends. But, my favorite name for him, besides friend, is “Boss”. He, whether he admitted it or not, or even liked it or not, was the Boss. And I mean that in the most complimentary manner. He deserved that honorific.

      He was the Boss, the leader, the mentor and the moral example for us to follow. His history of leadership predated my arrival at the clinic. How lucky was I to have him to lead me and teach me during my early years as a pediatrician. His lessons were not limited to the practice of pediatrics. He taught valuable life lessons that I have strived to follow. He encouraged service beyond the world of medicine. Most importantly he taught not by words alone but by example, and always by leading the way. 

     Years ago I had the privilege to introduce him when he was receiving one of his many well-deserved honors. At that time I referred to him as the “gold standard” by which all pediatricians, indeed all physicians, should be graded. Now surveying his active post-practice career I still hold this to be true, but even more so. He is a tireless crusader for good. He is the paragon for evaluating ones-self and anyone else in family, personal, public, religious, and civic life.