Published: July 01, 2009 09:46 am      

Hartness celebrates 40 years in medicine

Graduation from medical school and earning his M.D. degree 40 years ago was just the beginning of learning for Kosciusko physician Dr. Stanley Hartness.

“I walked into the Attala Medical Clinic 40 years ago wet behind the ears, and every day since then has been a learning experience,” he said.

Those years are affording a myriad of memories for Dr. Hartness as he marks the anniversary.

On July 7, 1969, he embarked on his career joining three doctors already in practice at the Attala Medical Clinic located on the corner of Adams and Wells Streets.

The decision that launched him into the medical profession came after two years of liberal arts study at Mississippi State University as he eliminated things (professions) that he did not want to enter. Enjoying an association with people and having the academics required for a medical degree were the major factors in helping him make the decision to become a doctor, he said. He received his M.D. degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.

The Kosciusko native, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. D.S. Hartness of Williamsville, said his hometown has been the ideal setting for him to practice medicine, and for he and his wife Beth to raise a family. They are the parents of two daughters, Julie and Laura, residents of Jackson and Madison.

As in all facets of life, Dr. Hartness recalled the changes that have come about in medicine. “When I joined Dr. Mink, Dr. Pickle and Dr. Gilliland at the Attala Medical Clinic, we each took calls from our patients at night, the clinic was open on Saturday with two of us on duty,” he said. These are just an example of the many changes that have come about through the years he explained.

Learning to cope and function with short hours of sleep was a must. Long hours came with delivering babies, making emergency room calls, house calls, and hospital rounds. Hospital rounds were made twice a day and on weekends you made hospital rounds for the other three doctors in the clinic, he remembers.

With the passing of years and the merger into Kosciusko Medical Clinic and more doctors coming into the practice brought about changes, he said.

“My practice is full of ‘circle of life’ stories,” said Dr. Hartness. He said he is the family doctor for six of his former teachers in Kosciusko schools. “They helped me and now I’m helping them.” He has patients to whom he sold groceries at his dad’s Williamsville store, naming them as making a contribution to his education by supporting his dad’s store. Now they make visits to him, adding another circle of life story.

A poignant story he related involves a patient who brought to his office, a mantel clock that was presented to him as a gift. “My grandfather had ‘thrown in’ this clock as a gift when this family purchased a table and chairs from him,” he said. He explained that the agreement his grandfather made was that the clock be returned to the Hartness family if a disposition was ever to be made. The return came as his patient brought the clock to the clinic. Today the clock occupies a place of prominence in the Hartness household. “Small things like these let me know I’m in the right place and I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.”

The past 40 years have not been all about the medical profession. He is very involved in the First United Methodist Church and numerous community activities.

What he termed as his “wonderful labor of love” started with an idea during his administration as president of the Kosciusko-Attala Chamber of Commerce—that of a statue of the town’s namesake, Gen. Tadeusz Kosciuszko. Under his leadership, money was raised for the statue, a sculptor was commissioned, and it became a reality. A two-day program was held for the dedication of the statue erected in Redbud Springs Park on South Natchez Street.

Other community activities include participation in Little Theater productions and in the Passion Play portraying the same character every year. He has served as master of ceremonies for pageants, the Junior Auxiliary ball and other programs. During the years the couple’s daughters were in school he was involved in the parent-teacher organization and activities of the Big Red Band.

He was a staunch supporter of Kosciusko folk artist L.V. Hull and has incorporated many of her paintings into the décor of the Kosciusko Medical Clinic as well as their home.

He is currently writing an editorial every three months to a medical journal.

At First United Methodist he sings in the choir, serves as a lay leader and teaches a Sunday School class one Sunday every month.

Another church project is providing the flower arrangement for the altar each Sunday, coordinating it with the pastor’s scripture and sermon.

Working with a landscape architect and several members of the congregation, the church’s courtyard has taken on a new look with the addition of blooming plants, and a fountain.

Summing up the past 40 years, he said, “The town and area have been good to me and by being active in the community I can, in a small way, show my appreciation,” he said.