James E. Mahan Park

James E. Mahan, M.D. (1895–1984) served the Allegan area from 1931 until his retirement in 1978, ministering to both personal and public health needs. He was instrumental in establishing the Allegan County Health Department and what is now Allegan General Hospital, and he was tireless in his devotion to patients and community alike. During the war years of 1941-45, to the detriment of his own health, he almost single-handedly provided medical care for Allegan and the surrounding area. He was progressive in medicine and surgery but old-fashioned in his concern for patients and their families as individuals. At the time of his retirement, it was estimated that he had presided at the birth of nearly half the population of the city. Less well known was his role as a "silent partner" in development projects that contributed greatly to the community's economic health. He did not suffer fools or hypochondriacs gladly, but he did make house calls.

Allegan, Michigan · United States