216. The New Lynn Clinic/Dr. Deckard.

RCHS Blog Post Number 216.  

The New Lynn Clinic / Dr. Deckard

 Winchester News-Gazette, March 29, 1969.

  An open-house is planned Sunday, March 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. for Lynn's new medical center, a $50,000 structure located on U.S. 27 just south of Lynn. The doctor "on duty" will be Cecil Paul Deckard, D.O. who has been practicing from a private residence in Lynn since he opened practice there July 15, 1968. He moved into the completed clinic March 17.

  Since his arrival, Dr. Deckard has helped work out the requirements for design, equipment and furnishings of the building. He consulted on these plans with the architect, George William COX, a Lynn graduate now of Muncie.

  The plan to build a clinic to attract a much needed doctor to Lynn (which had only one practicing physician, Dr. L. E. JORDAN, prior to Dr. Deckard's arrival) was sparked by the Lynn Lions club, which raised funds by subscription, with some pledges yet to be contributed. Total cost, including equipment, is $58,000.

  Since his arrival, the new doctor has conferred with other doctors in the hope of attracting two more to Lynn. The clinic plan provides for expansion in the near future for up to three physicians, and the Deckards have entertained three doctors only this past week, who might consider settling in Lynn. A good part of the attraction, Doctor Deckard is sure, is the handsome new clinic.

  Larry Max MERCER, of Lynn, who is a laboratory technician at the Randolph County hospital, will also serve the Lynn clinic in that capacity on a part-time basis. Other employees are Mrs. David THORN and Mrs. Danny SULLIVAN, both of Lynn.

  The structure is early American in design, red brick, with the colonial motif carried out in interior decoration. Patients may sit in captains' chairs in the waiting room, which will hold approximately 20 adults, or on a deacon bench when it is installed later. There are also arrangements for children, with table, chairs and reading material provided.

  There are four examining rooms, each decorated in a different kind and shade of wood paneling. The building is carpeted in shades matching the decor, throughout.

  Recorded music will be played through a stereo-intercom system. Such details have been carefully thought out even to the magazine racks, designed by Jim Keesling of Hinshaw Building Services, the building contractors.

  Another design detail is the width of halls and doorways, large enough to admit stretchers and stretcher-bearers comfortably. A partial basement provides storage space.

  The laboratory is equipped for all types of blood test and other needed tests and includes electro-cardiogram equipment and other ultra-modern devices.

  The building is equipped with three telephones and has four examining rooms, one of which is intended especially for emergency treatment. Oxygen is available here.

  The patients' records are protected with a security screen, and drug areas and laboratory are double locked.

  The clinic is 15 minutes from Reid Memorial Hospital and 10 minutes from the Randolph County Hospital, in Winchester.

  Dr. Deckard is 35, is married to the former Betty PETERS, daughter of the late Hugh Peters and Alvina Peters of this county. The couple have two daughters. The doctor is a Ball State graduate and completed interning July 1, 1968 at Carson City Michigan.

  The new doctor reports that he likes Lynn, the people and the county, and intends to continue general practice, he explains, since"people are my specialty."

  Dr. Deckard had ample opportunity to practice that specialty this winter, during the flu epidemic, when in one day alone he saw 73 patients.

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Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

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