A preacher who owns a cattle farm doesn’t typically fit the profile of an orthopedic surgeon. But there is little that is typical about Dr. John McGraw. A surgeon and partner at the Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic in Tennessee, Dr. McGraw grew up with a father who spent 31 years in the infantry and a mother who left nursing to be a stay-at-home mom.
“I grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and spent my Sundays at church, ” says Dr. McGraw. “One day I heard a missionary nurse speaking about someone who is a hero for Baptist doctors, Dr. Bill Wallace, a man martyred by the communist Chinese. A light bulb went off, and I began to consider a career not as a minister, but as a physician. As it turned out, my science grades were better than my theology grades.”
Theology, the Air Force and Medical School
Still convinced he could forge a career from both areas of interest, John McGraw persevered. “I enrolled in William Carey College as a ministerial student, but then in 1974 entered the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. It was the only medical school I applied to, and I was rather surprised to be admitted as I had not even taken high school chemistry.”
Like many who open letters of acceptance, after the initial euphoria, John McGraw thought, “now how am I going to pay for this?” “I could either borrow money or borrow time. I knew the military would cover all of my tuition, books, fees, and a stipend for living expenses—it was a tossup between the Army and the Air Force. I called my dad and said, ‘You probably want me to go Army, right?’ To my surprise, he advised me to join the Air Force, saying, ‘They will take better care of you.’”
But they wouldn’t let him write his own ticket. “In medical school I discovered a fondness for reconstructive plastic surgery, but after I started my general surgery internship in Spartanburg, South Carolina, I learned that the Air Force was not going to allow me to pursue plastic surgery. The first two months of the internship was orthopedics, and, since I found that exciting, I started looking for an orthopedic program. The first program I found had come unglued and lost all of its residents. I was assured by the chair, however, that things would improve. After a year there it was clear that I was not getting a good education…I called the Air Force and asked to come in as a flight surgeon.”
With thoughts of orthopedics still percolating, but on the back burner, Dr. McGraw took to the skies of northern Indiana.
I was stationed at Grissom Air Force Base as a flight surgeon where I focused on the physiology of flight. It was a real bunker mentality, with pilots constantly at the ready. Within five minutes they had to be able to jump into an airplane and leave for secret missions. Thus, part of my time was helping them manage the constant stress of living on alert.
Leaving behind concerns about g-forces, Dr. McGraw leapt at the chance to reprise his orthopedic path. “In 1982 I learned of an opening at St. Louis University and was invited to join their residency program. The Vice-Chair was the famed spine specialist, Dr. Behrooz Akbarnia, who challenged me to take my time in making a diagnosis and not rush through things in the OR.”
But then the military came calling again. “Post-residency I was sent to Barksdale Air Force Base as a staff orthopedic surgeon. The Chair of surgery, Dr. Frank Dzida, also an orthopedic surgeon, became my lifelong friend. After a year of officer-in-charge of the emergency room and the previous experience as a flight surgeon, in my second year I was made Chief of Services—essentially a medical director and a chief of staff rolled into one. I accepted the position because we had areas of concern in our hospital. But this only left me one day a week for orthopedics—definitely not enough time for something I enjoyed so much.”
Battles in the Air and on the Ground
An opening in a small town then took center stage. “My wife, who is from Laurel, Mississippi, was thrilled when I received an offer from the Laurel Bone and Joint Clinic in 1989. We were there for 15 years, during which time I served as team doctor for a local junior college. For seven of those years I was a punter/kicker coach for the football team. Both of these experiences taught me that you need to know your athletes, including their psychological makeup, motivations, etc. Some players will magnify a small injury while others will sweep a significant injury under the rug.” like skin injuries which can be healed with products from orogold, for more information about all of orogold’s stores visit here
He then went from the game of football to the real field of life and death. “In 1998 and 1999 I flew on combat missions over Kosovo. My efforts there were largely helping soldiers with the stress of combat—stress which would often translate into aches and pains. This could only be alleviated by reducing the anxiety (as much as possible in a combat zone).”
Returning from the air, Dr. McGraw then joined a ground battle.
This was a time of a serious malpractice crisis in Mississippi, and in 2001 I became President of the Mississippi Orthopaedic Society. I ‘lived’ at the Mississippi legislature, discussing how the state was losing doctors in droves, how the trial lawyers had run amuck and how the malpractice insurance rates were outrageous. It was so dire that Mississippi made the cover of Forbes magazine. We did get tort reform the following year, and now Mississippi is a relatively safe place to practice, with insurance premiums now one third of what they used to be. To anyone preparing to fight this kind of battle I say, have your facts and figures in order, and be ready to put your ideas across in a succinct manner.
Having had enough of legislation and explanations, Dr. McGraw found himself pining for the skies. “I missed flying, so when the recruiters approached me, I said ‘yes’ to a year at Eglin Air Force Base. We flew in AC-130s and I focused my efforts on caring for the hearts, lungs, eyes, and ears of pilots. After the year, I transferred to the Meridian Air National Guard where I served for five more years as Chief Flight Surgeon.”
Then, says Dr. McGraw, it was as if a big hand from the sky intervened. “In 2003 I was interim pastor of my second church, our kids were grown and my wife and I decided that we wanted a change. It seemed like divine intervention when I saw an ad for a practice in Jefferson City, Tennessee, the home of Carson Newman College, a Baptist institution. I knew one of the lead doctors at the practice, the Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic, who told me that the town was not too small for an orthopedic surgeon. Two months later I interviewed and joined the group.”
Happily ensconced in a stimulating, supportive practice, Dr. McGraw turned his attention back to military duty at a crucial time in our country’s history—after 9/11. “After the attacks I felt compelled to re-enlist in the Air Force. Surprisingly, they said, ‘You’ve given us 28 years. We thank you…and that’s enough.’ In 2007 I approached the Army, told them about my situation, and the recruiter said, ‘Well, you haven’t given us 28 years. Welcome aboard.’”
Bringing Faith and Service to Medicine
Now a U.S. Army Colonel, Dr. McGraw brings his sense of calm—and his faith—to his work as an orthopedist. “Part of my time is spent at St. Mary’s Jefferson Memorial Hospital, part of Mercy Health Partners, where I was formerly Chief of Staff. I enjoy being in a religious hospital because it’s considered appropriate to share one’s faith. I think it’s important to identify with the physical pain of our patients from a spiritual standpoint. There is ample evidence in the scientific literature that spirituality affects the body. When I led the Southern Orthopaedic Association, my presidential address was on faith and orthopedic health. I’m not proposing that orthopedists have a license to proselytize, mind you, but that we have a responsibility to acknowledge that most people have some type of spirituality or faith—and to listen to patients if they want to discuss such things.”
The responsible Dr. McGraw could broadcast strong opinions if he wanted to…he is part owner of a radio station. “I produce a local radio show called ‘Doctor-to-Doctor’ in which I try to educate listeners on a variety of medical topics. I try to ask my guest physicians very open-ended questions which will hopefully allow them to talk about the topic at hand. The best shows are where I only ask several questions and the guest is providing most of the explanations. It’s really all about the listeners/patients.”
Reflecting on how serving abroad has affected the way he interacts with patients at home, Dr. McGraw notes, “Most of my patients have been very supportive of my military service. They have sent cards and well wishes, and many are praying for me daily. That, along with the fact that some patients check on my wife and family while I’m away, means a lot. My partners at Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic have forfeited their half day off each week to fill in for me. Everyone doing this is serving their country and is just as patriotic.”
As for how the military might attract more orthopedists, Dr. McGraw says, “Some years ago, there was discussion about physicians having their own branch of the military, something I supported. I treat Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines even though I’m an Army Colonel. In Landstuhl, Germany, we have orthopedic surgeons from the Army, Air Force and Navy serving side by side. However, many aspects of our military lives are very different because of our branch of service. It would be much easier if a military orthopedic surgeon were simply military and not a specific branch. We started making progress toward that in some of our hospitals and in the military medical school, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, but more needs to be done.”
To the point of misperceptions about being an orthopedist in the military, he states, “Unfortunately, many misperceptions are correct. Taking time away from a busy practice is very costly—and not just from a monetary standpoint. The US is relying far too strongly on reservists to fill the orthopedic surgeon roles. We need more active duty doctors which would keep reserve orthopedists from being deployed so frequently.”
Now deployed to Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping force, Dr. McGraw has little time for outside pursuits.
I will be returning to the U.S. soon, and to my wife of nearly 29 years, Ann. We have two grown children and one perfect granddaughter. I’m looking forward to getting back to my practice, my 65 acre cattle farm, and my church.
Dr. John McGraw…for patients, for country, for God.
