Reprinted with permission from The Messenger.
By Lori Harrison, staff writer
Co-workers showed affection on Dr. Jack L. Hamman Friday as the Center for Heart and Vascular Services at Regional Medical Center was formally renamed in his honor.
"It's really a celebration of his years of contributions, not only to the health system but to the whole region," said Trover Health System President and CEO Bert Whitaker after the noon ceremony.
Hamman, who has been with Trover for 39 years, was instrumental in the establishment of the open-heart surgery program, heart and vascular center, and women's center.
He learned of the honor just one night before, during Trover Health System's physician recognition dinner.
"This is quite a distinct honor," Hamman said, "I was shocked last night, greatly honored and then humbled for being singled out for this recognition."
More than 15 family members attended Thursday's announcement, which included a DVD presentation and unveling of new signs for the Jack L. Hamman Heart and Vascular Center.
The lobby was packed for Friday's ceremony, with onlookers lining the balcony railing at the Center for Women's Health.
"We are all very grateful to you for everything you have done," Whitaker told Hamman. He also thanked Hamman's wife, Beverly, and the rest of the family.
"Especially, I want to say hello to Hamman's Honeys," Whitaker said, to laughter from the crowd.
About 30 current and former co-workers recently suprised the longtime physician by wearing T-shirts with the words "Haman's Honeys" on the front and an old photo of him on the back.
Several wore their T-shirts for Friday's announcement.
"We love it," Rosie Holt, heart center appointment secretary, said about the new name. "I noticed it right off this morning. He deserves it. Being here 40 years, he has made a profound difference. We talk to people from out of statewho want to come see him."
Plus, she added, with a big smile, "He's a character."
The initial suggestion for renaming the center came from Whitaker.
"When I came in here, I started thinking about a lot of the history and a lot of the legacy," he said. "When you look at the vascular center we have here, you don't have something that sophisticated in a town of this size."
Whitaker learned of Hamman's role in its development, and later took his proposal to the board of directors.
"There wasn't even any discussion," Whitaker said. "They said, of course we want to do that."
Hamman is board-certified in thoracic, vascular and general surgery. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.
He previously served as Regional Medical Center chief of staff, chairman of the Division of Surgery at Trover Clinic, and has served on the RMC and
Trover Clinic executive committees. He is currently vice chairman of the Trover Health System board of directors and has earned emeritus status from the Trover Clinic board of governors.
"On behalf of the board, we certainly appreciate such an outpouring of love and emotion for this man who has been in the community since I was in short britches," said THS board member Morris Coffman.
"I can't imagine him being here. He should be making rounds," Coffman said, as the audience applauded.
During Hamman's remarks, he told of the contributions of a litany of physicians, starting with founder Dr. Loman Trover.
"Dr. Trover and I and many, many others had the pleasure of obtaining a certificate (in 1979) for cardiac surgery, the first on outside Lexington and Louisville," Hamman said.
Heart surgeries were first conducted here the next year, when Regiona Medical Center opened.
"Cardiology now is strong, very strong now," Hamman said. "We have a wonderful building that houses the ability to evaluate all parts of your vascular system."
He thanked colleagues, staff and administration.
"I feel honored, but I'm also humbled," Hamman said, "and I'm very grateful for the contributions each of you makes every day."
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