JEFFERSON, Iowa – Babies arrived. Bones broke. Hearts raced. Through it all, one physician quietly became part of the story of Greene County. For more than 35 years, there is a good chance that one of life’s most important moments included Dr. Thomas Fagg, who quietly became a familiar, reassuring presence for generations of Greene County residents. Now, after a career defined by compassion, humility and service, Dr. Fagg is retiring.
Greene County Medical Center invites all to celebrate Dr. Fagg at a retirement reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, July 31, in the Education Center at 1000 W Lincoln Way in Jefferson. Patients, friends, colleagues and community members are encouraged to stop by, share memories and wish him well in retirement.
“Medicine is about relationships, and Dr. Fagg understands that well,” said CEO, Chad Butterfield. “He earned trust the old-fashioned way, by showing up, listening and being there when people needed him most. His calm presence, steady leadership and genuine compassion have shaped this organization and the communities we serve. We are grateful for his decades of service and wish him every happiness as he begins this well-deserved retirement.”
Dr. Fagg began practicing in Jefferson after receiving his Doctorate of Osteopathy from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences and completing his family medicine residency at Broadlawns Medical Center, both in Des Moines. Throughout his career, he cared for patients in nearly every setting, from the clinic and emergency department to the hospital, long-term care and obstetrics. He joined UnityPoint Clinic in Jefferson in 2017 and continued caring for patients when the practice became Greene County Medical Center’s Family Medicine Clinic in 2019.
“Throughout Dr. Fagg’s career, he has demonstrated exceptional resilience, leadership and dedication to our organization,” said Family Medicine Clinic Director, Diane Carey. “He guided patients and staff through periods of change while remaining focused on delivering outstanding care. While his accomplishments are many, his greatest legacy is the kindness and dignity with which he treated every person who walked through our doors. He made people feel heard, cared for and valued. Those are gifts that can’t be measured, and they will be remembered long after his retirement. We wish him a well-deserved retirement filled with happiness and good health.”
Every community has people whose work becomes a part of its story. For nearly four decades, Dr. Fagg has been one of those people, leaving an imprint that reaches far beyond medicine. And though his days of caring for patients are coming to a close, the standard he set for compassionate, patient-centered care will remain part of Greene County Medical Center long after his final day.