Monterey Healthcare Advisory Board Searching To Replace Physician

The Monterey Healthcare Advisory Board has started a search to replace Dr. Charles Gray Smith who will retire this month.

Dr. Smith has practiced out of Monterey for over 30 years and is the town’s only physician. Chairman Brian Eads said the committee wants to fill the role soon, but recruitment may be an issue.

“There is a shortage of doctors in this country,” Eads said. “Trying to get one to come to our little town may prove challenging, but there are ways and things that possibly the government can help with in offering them.”

Eads said the committee will use a combination of stipend programs and national data bases to find candidates. Eads said the town currently has two nurse practitioners, so most medical services can still be provided.

“There are some government programs that say I doctor out of school can get his or her students loans repaid in a certain amount of time if they work in an area like ours,” Eads said. “We are just going to pull out all the stops. Private, public we are just pulling out all the stops.”

The Monterey Healthcare Advisory Board gives the mayor and Board of Alderman direction on medical decisions. Eads said a physician does not exactly have to be the hire. Nurse practitioners can also practice from their own office.