Mercer Health medical staff, hospital leadership and special guests celebrated the late Dr. Donald Fox’s induction into the Medical Staff Hall of Honor at Mercer County Community Hospital during a socially distanced ceremony on August 7. Dr. Fox is the third inductee to the Medical Staff Hall of Honor—his predecessors include the late Dr. Donald Schwieterman and Dr. Robert Albers.

“Don is remembered by his patients for his direct and honest approach, quick problem solving abilities and diagnostic skill. He was respected by his peers, a champion for better patient care and an honest expert at conflict resolution,” Dr. Masser said. “Dr. Fox personified the mission of this healthcare institution. For that reason, we now honor and memorialize him with his induction into the Mercer Health Hall of Honor.”

Donald R. Fox, M.D., attended the University of Chattanoga for two years on a football scholarship until he was drafted into the Army Medical Corp during World War II.  Returning home, Dr. Fox received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and went on to graduate from Temple University Medical School in Philadelphia. He met his wife, Kathleen, a registered nurse, while at Temple, and together they have four daughters. He began his Family Medicine practice in Celina in 1954. He served as Mercer County Coroner for 30 years, was a member of the Mercer County Medical Society, The Ohio State Medical Society and the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. Throughout his years of active medical staff status for Mercer County Community Hospital, he served on many committees, served as Chief of Staff and sat on the Board of Governors.

Having practiced in the proclaimed “golden age” of family medicine, Dr. Fox did routine hospital rounds on all his patients, assisted on numerous surgeries, delivered multiple babies and managed many orthopedic conditions, while remaining on call for his patients at all hours of day and night. In his 35 years of practice in Mercer County, Dr. Fox made an impact on generations.