began his four year surgery residency. Interesting note is that in the 60’s, residency pay started at $125 per month. Yep, that’s right! You could actually make as much as $245 per month. Not quite as much as doctors these days make, but the two had saved their money from the years in the Navy, bought a 2 bedroom home (at a cost of $12,000), and they made it. As Winnie explained, laughing, “We could always eat free at the hospital if we wanted to.” I guess the old song that love is all you need was indeed correct! All that was left to do was find a job and go to work. As the two were searching for a new place to live, because they decided Memphis was just too big, Bob Bransford and Walter Barnes contacted them and offered the now Dr. Duncan a position at Southern Clinic. There were no large contracts to sign, no promises on paper. There was only a handshake between the three men, and the couple, and their young son, were on their way to Texarkana. Medical licenses were applied for, and at that time, all new physicians were required to bring their actual licenses to the board. Evidently there was someone who forged his certificates and practiced medicine for a while before being caught. According to Winnie, “No, it wasn’t Frank Abagnale, but it had a very similar story.” Luckily, Dr. Duncan’s certificates were 016 ALT Magazine | September 2016
in order and he was awarded his li- in school, she was a busy lady. cense. Nowadays, the Duncans have a little The Duncans spent their lives here, more time to spend relaxing. They raising their two sons, Tom and Jeff. have made their home a “cocoon” of peace, tucking their lives into the quiet of the backyard oasis that exists. Dr. Duncan, ever the working man, continues to see patients at Primary Care Specialists, located at 24th and College, although he doesn’t perform surgeries anymore. He has been constantly employed as a physician for 54 years and enjoys being a physician, as he emphasizes, “with no intention of ever retiring. If I had my wishes I would one day die at work while examining a good patient.” However, he has so many other things he is immersed in. As he explained, ‘I diagnosed myself with cancer in my tonsil in 2013. After going through chemo and surgery, I was pronounced cancer free in April of 2014. It gives you a different perspective on things.” It also gave him a differFollowing college, Tom eventually ent perspective on how he treats his became a commercial airline pilot for patients and other people in his life. American Airlines, while Jeff moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, to work for W. Callahan, their white Bull Terrier, is L. Gore Company. Both now have a part of their family and loved by two children of their own. As Winnie both, as well as any of their friends described, “He worked at Southern who visit regularly. Winnie has alClinic and I worked at home, raising ways loved and cared for her dogs so two children and becoming involved much that friends have repeatedly in this wonderful community.” As a told the couple they hope there is member of the Junior League, the that thing called reincarnation and, Bowie Miller Medical Society, the if it is, they want to come back as Medical Auxiliary, and Opportuni- Winnie’s dog. Lounging on the couch ties Board, as well as helping with St. while we talked, Callahan gets his James while her children were there share of attention – especially when