Kriti Mehrotra
Directed by Nick Doob and Shari Cookson, HBO Max’s ‘Country Doctor’ feels like it has a historical purpose through the way it shines a light on the healthcare system in rural America. It actually focuses on the local Community Hospital in Fairfax, Oklahoma, and its most experienced medical professional, Dr. James Graham, as they navigate the brink of bankruptcy. Thankfully, the miracle they were hoping for came in early 2020 as a new owner took charge to transform the place for the better, but it now makes us wonder about Dr. James’ standing.
Dr. James Graham Fell Into The World of Medicine By Chance
It was in the 1950s that James Graham was born and raised on the Otoe Indian Reservation in Red Rock, Oklahoma, alongside his proud stepfather, kind mother, and loving siblings. He actually claims his stepfather was an alcoholic as well as emotionally, physically, and sexually abusive, the latter of which was allegedly primarily directed towards his young sisters. However, it appears as if the family eventually managed to move away from him, as indicated by the children soon attending high school all the way in small-town Marland, Oklahoma.
Little did the Grahams know everything would change again in the late 1960s, as the matriarch would get diagnosed with chronic renal failure, secondary to polycystic kidney disease. She thus desperately needed dialysis almost every other day, but because there were not enough resources at the time in their small town, one of her children had to become her primary caretaker. Even though James was only in his junior year at the time (around 16 years old), she was confident in his abilities, so he went to Oklahoma City to learn how to administer the treatment at home.
Dr. James Graham Has Been Serving in Fairfax For Over 47 Years
That’s when James realized he had found his calling, so upon completing his Bachelor’s in 1974, he attended the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences to pursue his medical degree. At the time, this institution was known as the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, specializing in training doctors with a “whole-person” approach to patient care. Therefore, of course, it comes as no surprise that this key technique has always remained at the forefront of Dr. James’ work – “For me, it’s not just seeing patients, you’re seeing people,” he said.
According to records, James completed his formal studies in 1978, shortly following which he relocated to Fairfax for good, aiming to provide care for both his mother and the rural community. After all, his mother already resided in this small town in Osage County at the time, so it was through her that he had seemingly figured out the locals truly needed help from some professionals. He had no idea he would inadvertently get so involved with the locals that his work would become more than a job, and so, he has happily, proudly been a family medicine physician there for over 47 years.
“I guess you can say (I am) a big fish in a small pond, but you become a part of it,” James candidly said in the original. “I’ve got patients I’ve been seeing for 45 years. I delivered some of them.” He is truly grateful that he was taught to do everything during his training and early years because he has since been able to help in diagnoses, surgery, trauma care, obstetrics, and much more. While doctors usually stick to a specialization, James has had to engage in all these different fields because there have been times when Fairfax did not have enough hands on board on the best of days.
Dr. James Graham Continues to Serve His Community As a Doctor
Thankfully, things have seemingly been a lot different for Dr. James since California-based radiologist Dr. Elizabeth Pusey bought Fairfax Community Hospital through an investment business. He is still heavily involved with the hospital, all the while continuing to do house visits when needed as well as volunteer work across the county, but there are a lot more resources also available. In other words, the family physician has been affiliated with Fairfax Community Hospital and the local community in general for nearly 5 decades as of writing, with no plans of stopping anytime soon.
In fact, apart from still being a practicing physician at the hospital, which has since been rebranded to Rural Wellness Fairfax, James now also proudly holds the position of its Medical Director. His responsibilities have thus increased to include not only keeping up with but also figuring out ways to apply new medical innovations/technologies to their rural healthcare system. As if that’s not enough, the 73-year-old is even the Medical Director at Osage County Health Department, Oklahoma (ONHL) Hospice Service in Drumright, and Fairfax Manor Nursing Home.
Moreover, Dr. James sits on the Oklahoma Osteopathic Board and the Osage County Health Department Board, all the while also being affiliated with the Claremore Indian Hospital. He is also an Adjunct Clinical Professor at his alma mater, the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, and is affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association as well as the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. Coming to his personal standing, in spite of having undergone two kidney transplants over the past decade or so, he continues to thrive as a doctor while residing in Pawnee, Oklahoma, alongside his ever-supportive wife, Darlene Graham.
Read More: Dr. Robert Huizenga’s Net Worth: How Rich is The Biggest Loser’s Dr. H?
