Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services | Gibson gets it! | Fall/Winter 2017

Gibson gets it! 3 With heavy hearts and deepest sympathy, Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services (GAHHS) mourns the loss of George Bark, MD, who passed away on July 24. Dr. Bark was instrumental in the health care system, delivering quality service at the Paxton Clinic. Below you will read a multitude of Dr. Bark’s accomplishments, but we cannot even begin to capture all that he was to so many and all that he stood for. Dr. Bark was a friend, teacher, mentor and—above all—a team leader. The depth of his generosity could never be measured because he was always giving. Dr. Bark always put patient care and safety first, and in his eyes his patients were all part of his extended family. GAHHS is a family, and we will never forget our family member Dr. Bark and the service he provided to his patients, colleagues, co-workers and our communities. GAHHS vows to continue the quality care that Dr. Bark provided and would expect for each and every one of his patients. Dr. Bark earned his pre-professional associate’s degree from Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois, in May 1979. He then attended the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 1979 to 1994, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology in May 1981, a master’s in biology in May 1983, a doctorate in nutritional sciences in May 1993 and a medical degree in May 1994. His medical degree and doctorate were earned simultaneously while he was enrolled in the medical scholars program (a dual-degree program). Dr. Bark entered into a three-year family practice (rural) residency program at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1994, serving as chief resident in his final year there. He became board-certified in family practice in 1997. Dr. Bark’s career choice brought him back to the area he loved the most when he chose to serve in Paxton as a small, hometown doctor in 1997. He then served at Christie Clinic and Provena Covenant Family Care Network before eventually coming to work for GAHHS—“the best employer ever”—in our Paxton Clinic. Dr. Bark loved GAHHS because we stand behind our motto of “Gibson Gets It.” While serving the Paxton community as a physician, Dr. Bark returned to the academic world once again as a University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign faculty member in the College of Medicine. Beginning in 2003, he served as a clinical instructor. He was promoted to clinical assistant professor in August 2007, and he talked about submitting paperwork for a promotion to clinical associate professor but “hadn’t gotten around to it” yet. First and foremost, Dr. Bark’s greatest passion in his career was caring for his patients, followed by teaching medical students. Dr. Bark had numerous personal interests, including hunting, fishing, golfing and competitive barbecuing. He was a big supporter of the Fighting Illini as a season ticket holder in football and basketball and served as GAHHS’s representative for the Fighting Illini golf team. Dr. Bark became a Cubs fan 25 years ago because of his fiancée, Denice Wells, and her family. In May 2016, he organized a Cubs outing for 50 family members and friends. He got his chance to see the future World Series champions beat the Phillies that day! Memorial contributions can be made to Gibson Area Hospital Foundation in memory of Dr. Bark. These contributions will aid rural medicine students. Call 217-784-2602 or visit gibsonhospital.org/foundation . George Bark, MD Remembering