James D. Forbes, MD

Family Practitioner

Family Care Center

Hendry Regional Medical Center

Clewiston

MD – Medical Doctor.  James Forbes had to work hard to earn that title.  In 1951, when he enrolled at Emory University in Atlanta, he now recalls the Dean as saying, “So you want to go to medical school and study family medicine...well, there are seven other young boys who want the same spot.  You’ll have to prove you’re better than them.”  And prove it he did – his endurance, steadfastness, and sacrifices have taken him through over 40 years of practicing family medicine.

Most people in Hendry County will recognize the name – Doctor James Forbes.  For generations, Dr. Forbes has served as surgeon, pediatrician, oncologist, obstetrician, and more to the residents of Hendry and Glades Counties.  In 1964, fresh out of surgical residency, he arrived in Clewiston, Florida, a small rural town on Lake Okeechobee, and has been there ever since.  In his lifetime, he has treated and diagnosed more cases than the average physician – from those as ordinary as the common cold to those as rare as leprosy.

When his oldest daughter, Mary Edwards, was asked to reflect upon her dad’s profession and how it affected her family, she explained that there were so many memories; choosing just one would be difficult.  She recalls, “We were packed and ready to leave for a much needed family vacation when someone from the hospital called and told my dad that one of his patients was near death.  I knew that meant putting our plans on hold when I heard my dad say, “I just can’t leave her, not when she’s dying.”  That’s the way he has always been; he is completely dedicated to his patients.  He has been kind and caring, even in the early hours of the morning when fatigue had set in and his body was in need of rest; his patients came first.”

Mary also remembers the reverence her father has constantly displayed for his patients.  She explained, “When I was a senior in high school and worked part-time at my dad’s office, a patient asked for an appointment, but was not willing to sit out the long wait.  Instead, that evening, she (the patient) called our home.  As I answered the phone and heard the familiar patient explain that she had a headache and needed to speak to the doctor, I resentfully handed the receiver to my dad, and said, “It’s no emergency.”  After speaking to the woman, my dad turned to me and calmly stated, “It may not have been an emergency to us, but it was an emergency to her.”  Mary said that remark, as well as similar ones, have been etched into her memory.  (She also noted that her dad has never had an unlisted home phone number nor has he ever used a home answering machine.)

All three of the Forbes children say that their lives will be forever touched by the reverence and caring their father has demonstrated for his patients throughout their lives. In their eyes, he has heeded to his life’s calling – to be a family doctor who would make it his professional responsibility to provide caring and healing to humanity.

There have been personal triumphs as well as professional ones for Dr. Forbes.  His family does not hesitate to share an extraordinary personal accomplishment when in 1980, he not only admitted that he had a problem with alcohol, but, soon after, gave up his addiction “cold turkey.”  He attributes his conquest to perseverance and the help of God, and admits that humility has enabled him to recognize not only his strengths, but also his weaknesses.

Mickey Evans, Founder and Director of Dunklin Memorial Camp, an alcohol and drug rehab center in Indiantown, Florida, says he met “Jim Forbes” years ago through a client, he (Dr. Forbes) referred to rehab.  Since that time, he said, they have remained very good friends, occasionally even taking family vacations together.  Mr. Evans spoke of his friend’s generosity – how for years, he provided free care to all the patients at the Christian camp.  He also told of the time that his doctor friend donated his nice yacht to Dunklin Memorial, which was sold with the proceeds going towards the establishment.  Dr. Forbes continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the camp.  He also counsels and refers patients with addictions to the organization.

Countless others have commended Dr. Forbes for his heartfelt giving. John Perry, his accountant since 1965, once said, “If I had 20 percent of the patient bills that he wrote off, I’d have a million dollars.”  Mr. Perry recalled how early on, he had seen cabinets stuffed with unpaid patient bills.  Dr. Forbes has gained the respect and appreciation of the entire community because he has placed more emphasis on the care and well-being of his patients than on his financial possessions.

At 74 years of age, Dr. Forbes continues to have an active practice at the Family Care Center of Hendry Regional Medical Center, where he also serves as Medical Director.  In addition, he is the hospital’s Chief of Staff and is an active member of the hospital’s Foundation Board.  Although his pace is slower these days, Janice, his wife of 56 years, says that his mind is as keen as ever and claims, “He’ll never truly retire.”

Dr. Forbes is considered mellow and laid-back to most of his clients.  He will sometimes prop his feet up on his desk as he listens intensely to his patients.  He considers it an art to listen, and not only does he listen, but he also cares.  To him, most of his patients are like family; he has been their doctor for many years.  He tends to agree when others tell him that “physicians don’t take the time to listen to their patients these days.”

They say he’s a “dying breed” that in Florida and nationwide, a doctor of his kind is both needed and rare.  Will there be other physicians like Dr. Forbes who will pay personal attention to their patients, who will be respectful, compassionate, and competent?  Will there be others who will be genuinely interested in their patients’ well-being and sensitive, even to their unspoken needs?  Dr. Forbes has helped to build a healthier community in Hendry County for the past 43 years.  His vision of care has truly made him a lifetime hero in the eyes and hearts of those he has served.

Glenda Wilson, Marketing Director/Foundation Director

Hendry Regional Medical Center