After 44 years of practicing medicine in Pinckneyville, John Gregg Fozard, MD has decided to retire from clinical practice effective July 31, 2022.   He still plans to continue as the Family Medical Center Medical Director as well as making patient rounds at the area nursing homes.  Dr. Fozard stated, “It is with bittersweet thoughts that I announce my decision to retire from active office practice effective July 31, 2022.”  He went on to say, “I am proud to have been able to provide medical care in Pinckneyville for 44 years; especially at the new hospital with the growth and improvements seen over the last several years.”   “While medicine can be demanding, it has also been very rewarding and I have enjoyed being a part of helping to keep my patients and friends well.”

Dr. Fozard completed his undergraduate education at Washington University in St. Louis and his medical education at the University of Illinois School of Medicine.  He completed his internship and residency in Family Practice at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri.  He was certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and continues his certification with the American Board of Family Practice. 

He joined the Pinckneyville Medical Group in 1978 and worked there for 20 years before joining the Pinckneyville Community Hospital’s Family Medical Center in January of 1998 where he has worked for the last twenty-four years.  Dr. Fozard serves as the Medical Director of the Family Medical Center as well as having served on various committees over his tenure.  He is a member of the Perry County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Illinois Academy of Family Practice and the American Academy of Family Practice. 

Dr. Fozard is a faculty member of the University of Illinois Rural Medicine program in Rockford, Illinois as well as Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and Springfield, Illinois.  He loves mentoring medical students which included Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and future physician Medical Students.  His students are always very complimentary on the skills and guidance Dr. Fozard provided to them.

In October of 2018, Dr. Fozard was recognized by the Illinois Rural Health Association as the 2018 Rural Physicians of Excellence Award for his extraordinary commitment to rural medicine.   A ceremony was held at the Pinckneyville Community Hospital to recognize this achievement on October 3, 2018.  Illinois Representative Jerry Costello presented Dr. Fozard with a Resolution which was passed by the Illinois House of Representative recognizing him for his excellent care and service to the Pinckneyville and surrounding area.  In addition, the Illinois State Senator passed a Certificate of Recognition offered by State Senator Paul Schimpf recognizing Dr. Fozard for his dedication to providing healthcare to the rural residents of Southern Illinois.  Dr. Fozard stated that he was blessed to have worked in a small town where he had been able to get to know his patients both in and outside of his office.   

CEO, Randall Dauby, stated that “Dr. Fozard is truly an exceptional provider that cares about each and every one of his patients.  I have worked with many physicians over my 35 years in healthcare, but I can honestly say that I have never seen a more dedicated, loyal and caring physician than Dr. Fozard.  He has a very keen memory and knows his patient’s medical history in most cases before even looking at their medical chart.”

Dr. Fozard served in the United States Army Reserve from 1989-2002 as a Lt. Colonel serving oversees in Desert Storm.  He is a history buff and loves going to area schools and other programs dressed in his Civil War uniform to teach those in attendance about the Civil War.  You will often see him on Wednesday afternoon and on the weekends running in the Oxbow neighborhood as he is an avid runner. 

He will be missed by his many loyal patients, the FMC and Hospital staff.  We wish him the very best on his retirement. 

A retirement reception will be held at the Columbian Club in Pinckneyville, IL on Sunday, August 14, 2022, from 2p-5p.   Please join us as we celebrate 44 years of Dr. Gregg Fozard’s medical practice in Pinckneyville.