PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES CHANGING IN MADISON COUNTY
6-16-12
Popular physician and psychiatrist Phillip W. Cushman, M.D. has been notified that his services to the rural mental health population of Madison and Taylor counties are no longer needed. He has been serving the people of these two counties since 1978 as a contract doctor for Apalachee Center for Human Services, Inc. During the 34 years of work for ACHS he had only an 8 month break in service when the agency tried other options but came back to having him meet the psychiatric needs of the patients in these two counties.
The citizens of north Florida have been very fortunate to have had the care from a man who is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Fellow in the American College of Psychiatrists as a Clinician. He had a private practice in Gainesville, Florida until June 30, 2010 where he still lives. He commuted to Madison and Perry several times a month since 1978 to evaluate, treat and medically supervise local citizens needing professional outpatient mental health care and medication. The only time in those 34 years he missed an appointment with his patients was in 2004 when a hurricane brought down huge trees in Gainesville that prevented him from leaving that city.
After receiving notification on May 31, 2012 by Federal Express letter that his contract would not be renewed and that his last day with Apalachee Center for Human Services, Inc would be June 30, 2012 Dr. Cushman had this to say:
“I had always anticipated having time to prepare patients for my eventual departure but will not be able to do that due to the sudden nature of my termination. Nevertheless I want my patients, many of whom I have known for most of the past 34 years, to be aware that I have been deeply honored to have had the privilege of taking care of them. I wish I could have told them good-bye in person and I regret that they will not be able to discuss my departure and their future care with me. I also want to thank the pharmacists and the physicians and other primary care providers with whom I have shared patient care. I wish all of the people I have cared for and worked with the best of luck in the future.”
In this difficult time of unexpected change Dr. Cushman continues to show the professionalism, dedication and caring for which he is known.
I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Cushman for 18 years in Madison. Each day of the week that he was there was an opportunity for this social worker to learn something new. I will be eternally grateful for his patience and time. He cared about his patients and the staff, and he treated both with respect. He provided his patients with the highest quality of care and high professional and ethical standards. It is a great loss to the community of Madison to no longer have the services of such a dedicated psychiatrist.
Thank you Dr Cushman for all your years of dedicated care of the citizens of Madison County. You will be deeply missed by not only your patients, but by others in this community who recognize the important part you play in assure the Good Mental Health of our patients.
Thanks Dr. Cushman and I Love You Friend.
For the brief time I have been fortunate enough to work with Dr. Cushman, he has been nothing but professional and dedicated. It is truly such a devistating loss to not only his patients, but the people who have had the pleasure of calling him a colleague. Thank you so much, Dr. Cushman for all that you have done for the citizens of our counties over the last 34 years. You will most assuredly be missed!
Thanks Dr. C for the brief time I was allowed to work with you. You were very professional and committed to the children clients whom you saw.