Doctor Mac, a founder of Poplar Bluff health care

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales of us, our family, and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

James McPheeters was one of the pioneer doctors trying to establish the first health care system in the tiny town of Poplar Bluff, along with Dr. Brandon, Dr. Kniebert and Dr. Hendrickson. They all struggled to build hospitals and clinics in the 1920s.

After graduating from Vanderbilt Medical School in 1915, James McPheeters joined the Army. He served as a Medical Corps officer in World War I.

“Doctor Mac” as he liked to be called, moved to Poplar Bluff in 1921. Five years later he partnered with Dr. Hendrickson and opened a hospital called “Lucy Lee Hospital.”

They named it after Dr. Hendrickson’s mother named “Lucy” and Doctor Mac’s aunt, named “Lee.”

The hospital was damaged in the 1927 tornado. The only patient, Danny Giambelluca, was injured because he was in the bathroom instead of his bed.

Doctor Mac opened a hasty emergency room in a local church to save many of the tornado victims.

His dedication to the town brought the Job Corps and the Civilian Conservation Corps to Butler County. Doctor Mac also sponsored Archie Moore from a troubled teen to a world champion boxer through the CCC. He was also the on-call physician for the Missouri Pacific, Frisco and Butler County railroads.

Dr. Hendrickson, Dr. Brandon and Dr. Kniebert eventually opened their own hospitals, leaving Doctor Mac in charge of Lucy Lee. His sons, James McPheeters Jr. and Hugh McPheeters, joined their father in administering the hospital. Both were doctors too.

When World War II broke out, Doctor Mac was recalled to active duty. He was shipped off to the Pacific and served as a Navy commander attached to the Marines as a surgeon. Upon returning from the war, he continued his practice.

He and Dr. Brandon even entertained President Truman on his boat. Dr. Mac made headlines when he delivered the largest known baby at the time, 20 pounds. He also successfully amputated the leg of a 120-year-old man, according to reports at the time.

Doctor Mac never retired.

He continued practicing medicine until his death in 1978, at the age of 85. He passed away in his own hospital.

The Lucy Lee Hospital still stands today. It has gone through several name changes and locations, but Doctor Mac’s hospital is now the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. His legacy is the foundation of Poplar Bluff health care.

Doctor McPheeters is honored and remembered in the Medical Room of the Poplar Bluff Museum. His many awards are on display as well as his famous doctor’s bag. You can see his Naval uniform and read the numerous articles about his life.

We are proud to have Doctor Mac’s keepsakes in our care.

The museum is open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!