[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 193 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2298-E2299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN HOWARD COLES III

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 1995

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, on December 31, 1994, Dr. John Howard Coles 
III, a constituent of mine, retired after a long and distinguished 
medical career.
  Dr. Coles has unselfishly devoted his entire life to the healing of 
others, investing countless hours in the operating room, by his 
patients' bedsides or on the telephone late at night discussing a sick 
patient's symptoms.
  Dr. Coles is from the old school of medicine, where care and genuine 
concern were always part of the prescription, and nothing was too minor 
for his attention. In an era where big business has spread to the 
medical industry, Dr. Coles' office was a sanctuary for his patients 
because they always knew they could find someone who truly cared about 
them, not only about their physical well-being, but their emotional 
well-being and the health of their families as well. He knew their 
children's names, vacation plans and desires for the future.
  I will never forget the warmth and concern Dr. Coles showed for my 
welfare when I was a freshman on the Hillsboro High School football 
team. Dr. Coles put stitches in my chin and left me with a lasting, 
wonderful impression of his superior bedside manner and conscientious 
attention to detail. You knew that when Dr. Coles was taking care of 
you, you were in the best of hands. He personalized every relationship 
and truly made you feel as if you alone were his No. 1 priority.
  The announcement of his retirement prompted a letter to the editor in 
The Tennessean from patient Sara Roop, and I'd like to take a moment to 
read a portion of that letter because I believe she has accurately 
captured the essence of Dr. John Coles.

       For over 20 years, Dr. Coles has responded to my calls, 
     some frantic with concern over a sick child, some simply 
     seeking advice or reassurance. The ailment was never too 
     minor, the question too foolish, nor the time consumed too 
     excessive.
       Just talking with Dr. Coles was good medicine. He would 
     always dispense appropriate doses of advice, medication, 
     treatment and kindness. Then he would send us home with the 
     directive, ``Call me any time, day or night,''
       What has impressed me most about John Coles is his genuine 
     compassion--a rare commodity, even in the medical profession. 
     ``I'm sorry'' was a much-used phrase. He was truly sorry when 
     my son or daughter was ill, when I struggled physically and 
     emotionally with breast cancer.
       I am sure Dr. Coles is unaware he has shared so many of 
     these wonderful gifts with my family and so many other 
     grateful patients. Giving wasn't something he did; it was 
     something he was.

  Dr. Coles was born in Nashville on Sept. 29, 1927, and graduated from 
Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical School. He 
served a rotating internship at Baltimore City Hospital in 1951-52, 
delivering 105 babies in a 60-day period. He continued at Baltimore 
with a surgical residency through 1955, taking a little time out to 
marry.
  After serving an Oncology Fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical 
Center in 1955-56, he served as a captain and base surgeon at Chenault 
Air Force Base in 1957-59.
  In 1959, he established his private practice in general surgery and 
general practice, which he continued until his recent retirement. In 
addition to his regular medical duties, he also served as school 
physician for David Lipscomb College from 1968-82 and as a team 
physician for Hillsboro High School from 1960-73. He has held surgical 
privileges at Baptist Hospital, St. Thomas Hospital and Nashville 
General Hospital.
  He has been a physician and surgical consultant to such local 
companies at South 

[[Page E 2299]]
Central Bell, and has served on the board of directors of the Green 
Hills Health Care Center. He has helped with disability evaluations for 
the Social Security Administration. He holds active memberships in the 
Nashville Academy of Medicine, Davidson County Medical Society, 
Tennessee Medical Association, Southern Medical Association and the 
American Medical Association. Dr. Coles is the father of three and the 
grandfather of four, and he is an active member of the Hillsboro Church 
of Christ and the Nashville community.
  While Nashville is saddened over the retirement of such a faithful 
doctor, it rejoices in Dr. Coles' decision to begin the next phase of 
his life. As he finally has time to pursue other interests, may he find 
the same kindness, compassion and support that he has given all of us 
for more than four decades.

                          ____________________