This brief chronicle of the historical background and early development of the WATSON CLINIC has been set down with the thought that perhaps it might be of some interest to the succeeding generations of physicians who become a part of the institution.

Except in the case of the founder, Dr. Herman Watson, no attempt has been made to discuss or develop in any detail the individuals mentioned herein, either in regard to their professional back ground and attainments or their personal characteristics. However, a common conviction and faith in the unified strength and ability of the group pervaded the original partners to the extent that through concerted and self-effacing effort, a cohesive unit was established and it prospered. The welfare and the future of the Clinic was placed above that of any individual. Such fraternity was necessary for the growth of the group and was most beneficial and rewarding to the participants in their daily lives. The factual data which have resulted from such efforts are herein briefly set down as the first chapter in the history of the WATSON CLINIC.
Lakeland, Florida
September 1958

The exact date of the beginning of the Watson Clinic is as uncertain and as indefinite as is the transition point at which a small and fragile plant suddenly becomes a tree. However, for all practical purposes, this point of origin of the Clinic may be considered to have occurred in the summer of 1941. From this time on the medical group, whose professional and economic unity had already been established, became known officially as the Watson Clinic. The prior history of the events leading up to the formal organization of the group is perhaps best understood by a brief review of the pertinent biographical data of its founder, Dr. Herman Watson.

Dr. Watson was born Willis Herman Watson, on a farm near Metter, Georgia, on February 12, 1889. His parents were Willis Watson and Rebecca Lanier Watson. Following his education in the public schools of Georgia, Dr. Watson attended the University of Georgia and graduated from its School of Medicine in 1912. After postgraduate studies in various cities of the U. S ., he entered medical practice as a young physician in Lakeland, Florida, in 1914. He practiced general medicine, with special emphasis on surgery, until he was called into the Service of the United States Army during World War I in 1917. He served overseas and remained in France for nearly a year after discharge studying surgery. Finally he returned to Lakeland early in 1920 to resume medical practice. On June 30 of that year he was married to Lucille Kibler, of Lakeland, and had by her one child, Becky Lu Watson.

Beginning in 1921, Dr. Watson confined his practice to general surgery, with rare exceptions; and for the next fourteen years he was associated with several men in private practice. There was never, however, any real partnership arrangement nor permanency in these associations, and they were based primarily on an office-sharing relationship.

In 1935, Dr. Watson was joined by his nephew, Dr. Samuel Edgar Watson, just out of his training program. "Dr. Edgar" was a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Georgia, and had completed his internship at Knoxville General Hospital in 1935. In June of that year he entered the offices of his uncle in the Marble Arcade Building, Lakeland, and began a long and mutually beneficial association.

In the spring of 1938, the two Doctors Watson entered into an association with Dr. Jere W. Annis, a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who had just completed his Fellowship in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota. It had been Dr. Herman Watson's idea for some time to supplement the surgical skills of the two men with the ability of someone trained in the field of Internal Medicine. At that time, the group became known as Watson, Watson, and Annis, but the ownership of the equipment, accounts and other assets remained in the hands of Dr. Herman Watson. This economic structure continued to exist until the formation of the partnership in January, 1954.

In January of 1941, Dr. Annis entered the military service with the Army of the United States and remained on active duty until early December of 1945. In January of 1941, an addition was made to the group in the person of Dr. Henry Fuller, who had previously practiced medicine in Mulberry, Florida, and who was a graduate of Harvard Medical School. He had had his postgraduate training in Internal Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Briefly the group was known as Doctors Watson, Watson, Annis and Fuller, until in June of 1941, Dr. John Kibler, a native of Lakeland, joined the organization in the practice of Urology. Dr. Kibler had graduated from Johns Hopkins Medical School and had served his internship there. His further urological training had been received at the Mayo Clinic, and was completed immediately prior to coming to Lakeland. Just before his arrival, a discussion was held between Doctors Herman and Edgar Watson, Dr. Fuller and Dr. Annis, who was home on leave, as to the appropriate designation of the group which was now growing steadily. At that time it was felt that to give it an individuality and to acknowledge the spirit and creative force of its founder, it should be called the Watson Clinic. It was so officially designated and has remained so ever since.

Insofar as any point in history may be officially designated as the time at which it became the Watson Clinic, this meeting which took place sometime in the spring of 1941 may be said to be it. World War II began for us in December, 1941, and in something over one year Dr. Kibler was called into Service. It was not until June, 1945 that any more additions to the Clinic staff took place. At that time, Dr. William Payne Logan, of Lincoln, Nebraska, who had been trained in Internal Medicine, in Cleveland, Ohio, joined the Clinic in the section of Internal Medicine. At the same time, Dr. Stephen L. Watson, a graduate of L.S.U. Medical School, and a former resident in its Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, also became associated with the group. Dr. S. L. Watson was later to leave the Clinic of his own volition, in 1952, and to establish offices of his own in Lakeland.

1945-46 also saw the return of Dr. Kibler and Dr. Annis from the Military Service, and the addition to the group of Dr. James Shelden, in Radiology. Dr. Shelden was a native of Rochester, Minnesota, and had had his postgraduate training in Radiology at the Mayo Clinic. He had graduated in Medicine from the University of Minnesota Medical School, and had served overseas with the Mayo Clinic unit during World War II.

In December, 1946, Dr. Charles Larsen, Jr. joined the Clinic in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Larsen had spent his boyhood in Lakeland and had attended the University of Florida before taking his medical training at Duke University, and his surgical residency at the Cleveland City Hospital. His arrival brought the total number of Clinic physicians to nine and filled all available facilities in the current quarters in the Marble Arcade Building. During the ensuing six years no changes were made in the staff.

On April 6, 1948, a corporation, Clinic Properties, Inc., was formed by the group, and 100 feet of frontage on Massachusetts Avenue opposite the old City Auditorium was purchased. This was immediately adjacent to the southwest corner of Lemon and Massachusetts Avenue, which had been owned for several years by Drs. Herman Watson, Edgar Watson and Annis. The purpose of this purchase was to secure space for the erection of a Clinic building in the future.

In 1949, following considerable thought and discussion, it was decided to move the Clinic from the crowded quarters in the Marble Arcade across Kentucky Avenue into the annex of the Thelma Hotel, which the corporation, Clinic Properties, Inc., leased for a period of ten years, and which it then proceeded to remodel and air condition. The corporation borrowed money to do this, secured by a lease from the Clinic. The total expenditure involved between $75,000 and $80,000, but an attractive arrangement on the rent made it economically advantageous to the group.

On April 30, 1949, the group closed its offices in the Marble Arcade and moved across the street into new quarters. With this there took place a considerable physical expansion, reorganization and general development into a true clinic-type operation which had not been present previously. The group continued to practice in the new location at 122 South Kentucky Avenue for the next nine years. There were no additions to the staff until that of Dr. Coy Lay in 1952. Dr. Lay, a Texan by birth, had just completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota, and had previously served his tour of duty with the United States Navy. He joined the group shortly after Dr. S. L. Watson left it for private practice.

In 1953, Clinic Properties, Inc., sold its real estate holdings on Massachusetts Avenue to Maas Brothers Department Store, and purchased with the money derived therefrom seven and one-half acres of land on Lakeland Hills Boulevard, some four blocks north of Morrell Memorial Hospital. The corporation was also dissolved at the end of this year and its assets put into the newly formed partnership.

On January 1, 1954, the Clinic organization was radically changed. At that time, Dr. Herman Watson, who was approaching his 65th birthday, retired and the Clinic was purchased by the remaining men in the group who formed themselves into a partnership, devised a method of division of income, and began the practice of medicine on their own. Dr. Herman Watson was retained as a consultant, but the entire Clinic, including the real property, fixtures, equipment, accounts receivable and total assets and liabilities, changed hands as a result of an initial down-payment followed by two installments at annual intervals.

With the formation of the original partnership, a Managing Partner was designated, as well as another partner, to act in the role of Trustee, as advisor to the Managing Partner. His primary task was the determination of the remuneration to each partner and the development of a formula to automatically accomplish this. Dr. Annis was named Managing Partner; Dr. Edgar Watson, Trustee.

Near the end of the first year's operation, it became evident that the amount of time necessary to conduct the business affairs of the Clinic was such that a business manager was advisable. In this way the Managing Partner's time could be devoted to the practice of medicine to a greater extent than would be possible if he were to assume all the duties of employment, personnel, and management of the organization. The Managing Partner had leaned heavily on the vast experience, loyalty and fidelity of Mrs. Ina Yates, who had been in charge of the business office since 1939, and without whom smooth and continuous operation could not have been maintained. As the Clinic grew, it became apparent that her time, too, could not be devoted to managerial problems, and with this in mind, the Clinic employed, on November 1, 1954, Mr. Dudley P. Towne, a native of Tampa, and a graduate of the University of Florida, as a full-time Business Manager. Mr. Towne had been relieved from active duty in the Navy, as a full Commander, some two years previous to his employment, and had in the meantime been employed by the Ford Agency in Tampa. He had been introduced to the partners by Mr. George Vass, of the accounting firm of Russell Bogue & Co., in Tampa. Mr. Vass had taken part in the preliminary economic planning of the partnership and had served as the group's accountant and financial advisor since before the partnership was formed. He had also been instrumental in recommending Mr. John Trenam, tax attorney, of Tampa, who was retained as the legal counsel to draw up the partnership agreement, articles of incorporation for Medic, Inc., and all other legal and official documents relating to the corporation and the partnership. The Clinic prospered and grew numerically and in reputation, and soon began to make plans for the erection of a new building of its own on the land previously purchased for this purpose.

Dr. Robert Akey became the ninth partner in December, 1956; Dr. Albert King the tenth in July, 1957, and Dr. Robert Pfaff the eleventh in July, 1958 - each after a standard two-year trial period as an employed physician. In the organization of the partnership, it had been stipulated that each new man should remain as an employee for a period of two years, after which time he would be eligible to join the partnership, should this prove mutually satisfactory.

Ellerbe and Company, architects of St. Paul, Minnesota, were contacted in 1955 and planning was carried out over a period of the next two years. This was followed by a construction period which began in August of 1957, and which ended with the occupancy of the building on July 12, 1958.

In 1957, a corporation, Medic, Inc., was formed for the purpose of owning the land and the new building in which the Clinic would practice medicine. Stock in this corporation was issued to each of the partners and Medic, Inc., assumed the financial obligation of the new structure. A lease was signed by Medic, Inc., and the partnership relative to the occupancy of the building. Financing was arranged by loans from the Prudential Insurance Company and the Peoples Bank of Lakeland, as well as by a $150,000 cash reserve contributed by the partners themselves. At the time the new building at 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard was occupied, the Clinic consisted of fifteen men in several specialties as follows:

General Surgery: Edgar Watson, M.D. Charles Larsen, Jr., M.D.	Urology: John M. Kibler, M.D.
Obstetrics & Gynecology: Coy L. Lay, M.D. Albert G. King, M.D.	Orthopedic Surgery: Robert J. Pfaff, M.D. Stanley W. Lipinski, M.D.
Medicine: Jere W. Annis, M.D. Henry Fuller, M.D. William P. Logan, M.D. Robert M. Akey, M.D.	Allergy: Woods A. Howard, M.D.
Hematology: Malcolm B. Burris, M.D.	Otolaryngology: James E. Brennan, M.D.
Radiology: James T Shelden. M.D.

Of these men, Drs. Burris and Lipinski had joined the group on July 1, 1958. These two, as well as Dr. Brennan and Dr. Howard,were not yet partners; the others listed were.

The new clinic building, the construction of which had occupied approximately eleven months, was most modern in appearance and design. It had been developed functionally for the express purpose of facilitating the practice of this particular group of doctors. Its general decor was somewhat unusual and imaginative for a building of this type, but was considered extremely tasteful and beautiful by all observers. Its 25,000 plus square feet was designed with an eye on the possibility of future vertical expansion to the extent of two more stories. Such an addition could allow for the accommodation of a total of at least 55 physicians. The building was also so designed and so placed on the existing property, to which two-and-one-half acres had been added on the north during the preceding year, that a hospital facility could be constructed to its west and could utilize the same x-ray and laboratory facilities .

The general contractor was C. A. Fielland of Tampa, whose work was extremely satisfactory, and whose superintendent, Mr. Robert Pulley endeared himself to the partners because of his personal interest in and conscientious devotion to the completion of an outstanding building. Construction was delayed for approximately two months by the extremely inclement weather of the winter of 1957-58.

A flag which had flown over the Capitol of the United States in Washington was obtained from Senator Holland, and a Florida flag which had flown over the capitol in Tallahassee was a gift of Governor Collins. They were flown daily from the building's flagpole until wear dictated their retirement and replacement.

The actual transfer of operations from 122 South Kentucky to 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard took place with remarkable smoothness. The Clinic was closed at the former location at 12: 00 noon on Saturday, July 12, 1958 and doctors, nurses, technicians, secretaries, receptionists, business office employees, maids and janitors all worked zealously over the weekend to accomplish the relocation. Professional movers moved the heavy equipment and by Monday morning, July 14, the doors opened for the first time on the Watson Clinic in its beautiful new surroundings. On Thursday of the same week, the first professional staff meeting was held in the inspiring environment of the new library with its 18-foot long walnut conference table.

The many problems which were to be anticipated with the transplantation and partial reorganization of the Clinic were met and handled with a minimum of difficulty and delay. The change in location had been accomplished and the new operation was underway.

Dedication ceremonies for the newly constructed clinic building took place during the weekend of August 2-3, 1958, and began with the arrival of Dr. and Mrs. Alton Ochsner of the Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday.

Dr. and Mrs. Ochsner were met at the Tampa airport and were brought to Lakeland following luncheon at the Columbia. A dinner was held at the Yacht Club for them that evening and the following were present:
Dr. and Mrs. Ochsner
Dr. and Mrs. Herman Watson
Dr. and Mrs. Edgar Watson
Dr. and Mrs. Charles Larsen, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Roberts of Panama City, Florida,
      (Past-President of the Florida Medical Association)
Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm Burris
Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Annis

Following dinner the doctors repaired to the clinic library and auditorium where 100 doctors from this section of the state were gathered.

At 8:00 p.m., Dr. Brennan was introduced and spoke briefly on the place of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of cancer of the lung. Following this, Malcolm Burris introduced Dr. Ochsner, who spoke for approximately one hour on bronchogenic carcinoma and its relationship to smoking. The talk was illustrated with slides and was well received by the group. The new facilities functioned admirably and the acoustics were excellent. Following the lecture, refreshments were served from the kitchen and the visiting physicians remained for approximately one hour before dispersing. Their reaction to the building and to the program was most gratifying.

In addition to Polk County physicians, of whom three, incidentally, were over eighty years of age and had never smoked, there were physicians from Panama City, Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Plant City, Clearwater, Arcadia, Avon Park and Orlando.

On Sunday, August 3, Dr. and Mrs. Ochsner were flown over this section of Florida in a helicopter kindly loaned for this purpose by Mr. George Jenkins of Publix Super Markets. They were landed at Cypress Gardens where Mr. Dick Pope had arranged for them to be the guests of honor at one of the regular ski shows. Luncheon was served on the terrace and the visitors returned to Lakeland in time for the dedication ceremonies which took place in the main lobby of the new clinic building.

These ceremonies were brief, beginning at 3:00 p.m., with an invocation by Dr. John Newton, pastor of The First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, and continuing with a welcoming address and introduction of Dr. Ochsner by Dr. Annis. Dr. Ochsner's remarks were made to the approximately 200 guests gathered for the ceremonies. These guests included U. S . Senator Spessard Holland; Mr. Ernest Gibson, Executive Director of the Florida Medical Association; and representatives of the State Departments of Vocational Rehabilitation and Education; as well as the city and county commissioners, judges of the area, our district representatives in Tallahassee and the entire personnel of the Clinic.

Most of the living members of Dr. Herman Watson's family were also in attendance. In his dedicatory address, Dr. Ochsner briefly reviewed the more recent history of medical progress and advancement, lauding the efforts of such men as Dr. Herman Watson on the frontiers of the profession. He congratulated the community on the erection of this fine, modern medical facility and stated that in his opinion, the hopes of the future of medicine lie in the growth of institutions like this. He felt that such clinics provided the answer to the challenge of better medical care. Dr. Ochsner concluded his talk with the unveiling of the bronze plaque of Dr. Herman Watson, founder of the Clinic. This plaque had been created by Mr. Kent Hagerman, Lakeland artist who did the etchings for the announcement of the dedication ceremonies. The benediction was pronounced by Father Clifton White of All Saints Episcopal Church.

Following the brief ceremonies, the building was inspected by the guests and beginning at 4:00 p.m., open house was held until approximately 6: 30 that evening . Some 4,000 visitors toured the Clinic before the doors were finally closed. Over 50 floral pieces had been sent by friends and the building was beautifully decorated. Two police officers directed the traffic which jammed the nearby streets. The weather, fortunately, was clement.

Early that evening Dr. and Mrs. Ochsner were returned to Tampa by Dr. and Mrs. Burris. Here they enplaned for their return to New Orleans and the very successful ceremonies were concluded. The Watson Clinic had entered a new era.

The affairs of the Watson Clinic prospered in its new location and the staff continued to grow and diversify. Between 1958 and 1962 departments of dermatology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, neurology and ophthalmology were added. By 1960 the group had already outgrown its new facilities and added an additional 16,352 square feet, in a second floor, bringing the total square footage to 41,989. This was done at a cost of $321,000. The diversity of coverage at this time was such that patient services were being offered in a truly comprehensive fashion, characteristic of multispecialty clinics .

In 1960 an Executive Committee was formed to aid the Managing Partner in the routine operation of the Clinic. This was set up on a trial basis to be evaluated annually and was renewed each year for the next three years, when in 1964 it became a permanent part of the organizational structure.

On the 31st of March, 1962, Dr. Herman Watson, the Clinic's founder, died quietly in his sleep, apparently of a cardiac arrhythmia. He had been subject to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and arteriosclerotic heart disease for several years.

In 1962, because of the expanding growth and development, the staff undertook a formal in-depth evaluation of itself and established a set of goals and objectives. Everyone took part in this through various committees and the study encompassed an entire year. It resulted in the adoption of a set of goals stated in order of priority and a set of current objectives. These were adopted with the idea that they would be regularly examined and modified as necessary in the years ahead.

In 1963 a profit sharing trust was established. This came about because of a deep conviction that there was an unmet obligation to long time employees in providing them with some retirement income. The Clinic by this time had reached an economic platform where this was feasible and where the physicians themselves could consider the possibility of deferring some of their income not essential for expansion. It was not known whether a plan could be drawn that would include participation by the physicians, but development of it proceeded in order to provide for the employees. Fortunately, during the course of preparation of the plan, and prior to final implementation, federal legislation made it possible for the physicians also to participate. In 1964 the partnership purchased land immediately adjacent to the Clinic property on the north from five clinic members who had previously acquired it from Ralph Booker. This purchase was at actual cost to those individuals plus 6% interest. That same year the Clinic purchased the Booker property, extending from the new northern boundary to the next street and including the Cadet Restaurant. This latter was leased to a Mr. Simone who ran it for a short time but was unable to make it a financial success although the rent to the Clinic was paid regularly. Later in 1964, the Clinic purchased land extending west from the recently acquired Booker property all the way to Florida Avenue. This enlarged the holdings to 21 acres and provided adequate room for future expansion and even the construction of a hospital, should this ever become necessary .

Once again all the available space in the building was being utilized and in 1965, 6,082 square feet were added to provide storage and data processing areas with housing for the new computer. This brought the total clinic square footage to 48,071. Because of the continued expansion, an assistant business manager - Mr. David Hendry - was added this year.

By 1966 growth dictated that a third floor be added to the building and a new ground floor library constructed. This entailed adding 22,822 square feet, at a cost of $452,000, bringing the total footage to 70,893. At the beginning of the following year, the Cadet Restaurant, now owned, with all other realties, by the newly formed corporation, Medic, Incorporated, whose stockholders were all clinic physicians, was leased to Mr. Jim Neff. He opened the Fox Fire Restaurant and over the next several years proceeded to make it Lakeland's outstanding restaurant.

In 1967 an annual Watson Clinic award of $500 to the University of Florida medical student voted to have made the most original scientific contribution during the year was established. In 1980 the award was raised to $750 and a similar grant made to the University of South Florida Medical School - this time to its outstanding student.

In November of 1968, the Watson Clinic Medical Bulletin, a professional staff publication, made its appearance after a good deal of effort on the part of its editor, Dr. Flanagan, and several others. The first and only issue was most creditable, but lack of time and commitment prevented continuation. It is worthy of note that the question of the ethnic and racial composition of the clinic staff had previously surfaced periodically in staff discussions, with particular reference to the possibility of adding a Jewish physician. This was not for the sake of the religious background per se, but simply to determine whether such a physician would be accepted into the partnership by those already in it. This was discussed freely and at some length without having any particular physician in mind. A consensus developed that there should be no ethnic barriers to partnership.

Retrospectively, it is noted that at the time the Clinic left its quarters in downtown Lakeland, there were the traditional separate waiting rooms and toilet facilities for blacks and whites. This was the case in all public buildings in the area. It was so when the Clinic occupied its new building in 1958, but the problem had been carefully discussed in advance and projected in the construction so that the colored waiting areas conformed to a standard module with adjacent toilet facilities. It was realized that in the very near future there would be an integration of patients and, consequently, these waiting rooms and toilets could be readily assimilated into the overall pattern of the building. This occurred shortly after the building was occupied in a transitional manner without difficulty or disruption of clinic or patient activity .

In 1968 the profit sharing plan, then some five years old, had increased in its financial solidarity and on January 31, 1969, it purchased all the stock in Medic, Incorporated, which owned the Clinic land and buildings for 1.7 million dollars . The partner ship continued to rent from Medic, as before, but this entity was now wholly owned by the profit sharing trust, which included the Clinic employees. Overall growth had continued and virtually all medical disciplines were now encompassed in the Clinic structure .

Executive physical examinations and evaluations were being carried out on a rather significant scale and the organization entered into a research program with Vitro, a software company from California, to establish a routine protocol for multiple testing and screening operations prior to examination by the physician. This involved a considerable amount of work and the time of many physicians, especially Drs. Logan and Verner, and resulted in a most effective operation that has been only minimally modified over the years.

In 1969, the Clinic was inspected and accredited by the American Association of Medical Clinics, which had just established an Accreditation Commission. All sixteen of the commissioners who included Dr. Annis and other physicians from various parts of the United States representing such large clinics as the Mayo Clinic, Virginia Mason Clinic, Ochsner Clinic, Lahey Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, etc., were present in Lakeland for this inspection. It was the first undertaken by the national organization and as a result of this meeting, a definite protocol was established. The Watson Clinic was thoroughly and comprehensively inspected and given the first clinic accreditation certificate ever awarded - an accreditation which has since been renewed.

Reconsidering expansion a couple of years later, the group voted to go ahead with plans again in 1972 and Ellerbe was re­engaged to produce schematic drawings for a new west building. At this time the further vertical expansion of the original building was precluded by the fact that the foundations were inadequate to support additional floors. Consequently a new building was planned immediately adjacent to the west wall of the old one and pilings were sunk for a foundation that would carry a load of up to eight stories. This same year the group was faced with the national wage and price freeze which led to additional speculation about the financial future.

The west building was added with its total of 55,000 square feet at a cost of 2.4 million dollars. It is estimated that this was a million dollars more than it would have been had it been completed two years earlier as contemplated. The extra expense, of course, was due to rapidly escalating construction costs. The completed west building brought the total square footage of the Clinic to 125,893 and provided a future potential of eight floors which could house up to 200 physicians.

The new construction was underwritten by a newly formed real estate partnership, it being felt that this would be in the best financial interest of the partners rather than having all Clinic real estate owned by the profit sharing trust. It was also apparent that in the near future federal laws would not permit the profit sharing trust to own Clinic properties. This real estate partnership was formed with each partner, except those who were retired or were very near retirement, as members and contributing financially on the basis of longevity in the Clinic. In the future, all members of the Clinic partnership would also be members of this real estate partnership, which was projected to incrementally take over all Clinic real estate. This provided definite tax advantages to the present and future partners .

In September of 1974, the traditional Clinic requirement that each new physician be accepted by a unanimous vote of the entire partnership was amended to require only 95% approval for employed physicians and new partners alike. Several years previously it had been determined that only Board certified individuals would be taken into the partnership from that point on.

In late 1974, the committee structure was reorganized. This was Dr. Annis' last year as Managing Partner due to the age limitation. He had been elected Managing Partner 20 times in the twenty-one year history of the partnership; Dr. Edgar Watson having served in that capacity in 1959, with Dr. Annis on the Executive Committee. In the annual elections in February 1975, Dr. John Collins was elected the new Managing Partner.

In June 1975, the Clinic had an impressive new-wing dedication dinner at the Lone Palm Golf Club for all physicians and their wives. The new wing was officially dedicated to the eight original partners named on a plaque in the entrance. At that time it was announced that a "Jere W. Annis Annual Lecture" would be established at the time of the annual seminar as a remembrance of the long time Managing Partner.

These scientific seminars lasting one-half day had been held on a Saturday afternoon early in March annually since 1959 at Clinic expense. All physicians in the area are invited for four to five hours of lectures by outstanding physicians from all over this country as well as from abroad. Each seminar has ended with a social hour and barbecue on the clinic premises and attendance is approximately 200 physicians annually. The programs have been uniformly outstanding and are eagerly anticipated by all physicians and friends of the Clinic.

In 1977 all the stock in Medic, Incorporated, including the old Clinic building, was purchased from the profit sharing trust by the real estate partnership. Also this year the partnership agreement was modified to permit partnership until the age of seventy (instead of sixty-five), but to make retirement from practice and the partnership mandatory at that time. However, partners over age sixty-five are not eligible to hold office.

In 1978 the Clinic growth continued, as did its reputation, and its patient load, which then approached 250,000 a year . At this point a comptroller, Franklin Smith was added to the clinical staff to supervise the enlarging fiscal activities.

Plans were undertaken in 1979 for an addition to the facility of 29,681 square feet in the west building, raising it to five stories and bringing the total Clinic space to 155,574 square feet. Except for a department of pediatrics, the Clinic in 1980 included virtually all of the various medical disciplines. A radiation therapist was added during this year, as well as an additional oncologist and ophthalmologist. Arrangements were made through the efforts of the Clinic for the Lakeland General Hospital to obtain a linear accelerator, and the group was quite active in ensuring its independent funding.

January of 1980 saw the reinstitution of the specialty of Nephrology within the Department of Medicine when Dr. Henry Haire joined the Clinic to reestablish this discipline. Dr. Haire, certified in this specialty, had been in private practice in Orlando for several years prior to his move to Lakeland.

January 31, 1980 saw the retirement of Dr. Henry Fuller after thirty-nine years of active practice in the Clinic. During these years his keen medical mind, his prodigious workload, and his inexhaustible energy had contributed much to the group and to his numerous devoted patients. At this same time, the senior radiologist, Dr. Shelden, who had been on leave of absence for the past six months, also retired and was sorely missed. He had carried the entire radiological load of the Clinic from 1946 to 1963 and exemplified the perfect group physician through his many altruistic contributions to the overall Clinic development.

At this point no formal ties had been made with any academic institution although discussions along these lines had been frequently held. Long range consideration of the future format of the practice of medicine and various models of relationship with academia were carefully examined. The formation of a large widespread national medical resource on a free enterprise basis was discussed. It became evident that formal long range planning activities must consume a significant portion of the Clinic's time and attention. Once again, the group stood at a crossroad and soon decisive action would be required for future direction and development.

Appendix - Text of Dr. Annis' welcoming address and introduction of Dr. Ochsner.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The entire Clinic staff wishes to express its deep appreciation of your attendance this afternoon on this occasion which is so important to us. You represent groups and organizations which honor us by your presence.

When the doctors of this Clinic began its construction, we had two very sincere wishes in mind. One was to dedicate it to the individual whose dream and desire it was originally, and whose name it bears- and the other was to have this dedication performed by some significant and outstanding figure in the field of medicine. You are today witness to the very complete fulfillment of both these wishes. No one can begin to appreciate our pleasure in the dedication of this building to Dr. Herman Watson, founder of this Clinic - beloved associate of its physicians and early symbol of modern medicine in this area. We are extremely happy to dedicate this very tangible structure to a highly revered and respected associate who, though retired, will see it and enjoy it for many years to come.

As to our second wish, you know what unbelievable success we have had in this respect. You know that we have here this afternoon to officially dedicate our building, a true giant in the field of medicine- a man whose name is becoming a house hold word; who is known internationally for his many professional achievements, and who represents to the public and to the profession alike all that is fine and respected in our calling. Here is a man who is primarily a busy and active surgeon, and who still finds time in this life, which would be sufficient to most of us, for the role of editor of half a dozen professional publications; associate editor and advisor to the editorial boards of a couple of dozen more; who further has time for the role of teacher; who heads the famed Ochsner Clinic and the Ochsner Foundation; who belongs to literally hundreds of medical and professional societies; and who is president of a score or more - who has in the past headed the American Cancer Society, the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Thoracic Surgery, and the Section on General and Abdominal Surgery of the American Medical Association-to mention only a few national organizations in his chosen field. Here, too, is an individual who has found time for the role of author and who has contributed over 380 scientific papers to the medical literature. And in his spare time - well, a few years ago - he was King of Mardi Gras.

And so you understand why we, the staff of this Clinic, are so sincerely grateful to this busy gentleman and his lovely wife for taking the time to come here this afternoon and formally dedicate this modest building which holds the dreams of all of us.

Ladies and Gentlemen - Doctor Alton Ochsner, of New Orleans.