Meet Dr. Hatcher

Thank Dr. Hatcher for the fact that Edgar County has one of its most beneficial services, the Edgar County Board of Public Health. He was a leader among those people who saw the need and then set out to fill it. In fact, he served as the Board's first chairman.

A native of Evansville, Indiana, the doctor arrived in Paris in 1992 to begin practicing medicine. He had come by way of Michigan State University, where he earned his degree in osteopathy, and Union Hospital in Terre Haute, where he was a resident specializing in family practice medicine. Dr. Hatcher is certified by the American Board of Family Practice and is a fellow with the American Academy of Family Practice.

Nothing in his professional credentials gives you any hint, though, of another area where Dr. Hatcher excels -- as a vocalist. The congregation of the First Christian Church in Paris counts itself fortunate to have him as a frequent soloist. Dr Hatcher and his wife, Virginia, are the parents of two daughters

1978
Received his bachelor of arts degree in biology from Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan.

1980
Earned his master of arts degree in physiology from Northeast Missouri State University of Kirksville

1989
Was awarded the Doctor of Osteopathy degree by Michigan State University of East Lansing

1990
Completed internship at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan, and was named Intern of the Year

1992
Finished residency in family practice medicine at Union Hospital, Terre Haute, Indiana

Memberships:
Fellow, American Academy of Family Practice
American Medical Association
American Osteopathic Association
American College of Emergency Physicians
Diplomate, American College of Osteopathic General Practitioners
Diplomate, National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners
Illinois State Medical Society
Aesculapian Society of the Wabash Valley
Diplomate, American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review
Faculty, Indiana University School of Medicine and University of Illinois School of Medicine.

Dr. Hatcher is an osteopathic physician. For all practical purposes, medical doctors and doctors of osteopathy are identical. Their training is now the same, they are accepted into the same postgraduate programs, and their credentials are virtually interchangeable. Medical doctors and osteopathic physicians undergo four years of medical/osteopathy schooling, followed by residencies of varying lengths, depending on the degree of specialization. Dr. Hatcher chose to specialize in family practice medicine. As a family practitioner, he treats patients of all ages.