Retirement reception held for Dr. Vermont

By Staff, 12/10/20 4:12 PM

PRESCOTT – An era came to an end Thursday afternoon with the retirement of Dr. Charles Vermont.

Dr. Vermont practiced medicine in Prescott for 33 years, opening his practice in 1987. Because of COVID-19 a drive-through reception was held. This meant people drove through the parking lot to wish him a happy retirement and express their sorrow at losing him.

When asked about his future plans, Dr. Vermont said he will be working on his golf game, trying to stay current with medicine and read books he’s let slip by. He and his wife have purchased a house in Northwest Arkansas 150 yards from their grandchildren. He and his wife also plan to travel once it’s possible after the virus has been brought under control.

Dr. Vermont will remain with the clinic until Dec. 31 and be back and forth periodically. The rest of his staff will be remaining. The registered nurse practitioners will remain and be overseen by two doctors from Baptist Hospital in Arkadelphia – Dr. Bryan McDonnell and Noland Hagood.

Dr. Vermont’s staff bought a rocking chair for him from Cracker Barrel. The chair was put out front where he sat while waiting for people to drive up. There was a steady stream of well-wishers who came in from both directions of the parking lot. Several brought gifts and cards.

A small reception was held after the drive-through ended. Representatives from Baptist Health were on hand. They presented plaques which will be mounted in the waiting room noting the donation of the building and the more than three decades of service he provided to the community.