Family physician Dr. Ron Powell is retiring at the end of 2019 with almost 40 years of medical service to the West Point community and beyond.
The public is invited to a reception in Dr. Powell’s honor from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 30, at the North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point Education Center, 150 Medical Center Drive.
A native of Wynne, Arkansas, Dr. Powell graduated from Arkansas State University, with a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry, before completing a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy at the University of Mississippi in 1970. He then served four years in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, a military branch overseen by the U.S. surgeon general.
Upon completion of his active duty, he enrolled in medical school at the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri. He earned his medical degree there in 1979 and completed a rotating internship in 1980 at Mount Clemens General Hospital in Michigan.
One month later, he opened his own private practice in West Point. His first clinic was right next door to Ivy Memorial Hospital. In 1985, he built and opened a new clinic on Medical Center Drive, where his wife, Diann, served as the office manager.
After 15 years in private practice, Dr. Powell joined North Mississippi Medical Clinics, and West Point Medical Clinic opened across the street on Medical Center Drive.
Powell also served in the Mississippi Army National Guard for 26 years. He served as the battalion surgeon with the 223rd Engineer Battalion, Combat Heavy, from 1984-1998. He transferred to STARC, MED, TDA in 1998 and served as a general medical officer until 2000.
He was appointed as commander of DET 1, MSARNG, Medical Detachment in 2000 and served until May 2003, when he was appointed the commander of the MSARNG Detachment. In 2005, he served as the medical officer with the 155th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. A few months after he returned home, he was deployed again to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for four months after Hurricane Katrina hit. He retired from the MSARNG in 2006.
With retirement in view, Dr. Powell looks forward to more time with his family, which includes his wife of 51 years, Diann; daughter, Amy Tabor of West Point; son, Ron Jr. of Eads, Tennessee; and grandchildren, Powell, Elizabeth Claire and Barrett Tabor, and Maddox and Lily Powell.
The Powells have long anticipated a trip to Israel planned for February. He also looks forward to playing golf and deer hunting. They are active members of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation.
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