Hamilton grad returns home to practice medicine, enjoys getting to know patients on personal level.
Dr. Charles Johnson grew up in Hamilton, Texas, but before he ever graduated from high school, he was on his way to medical school through the Partnership for Primary Care, a program at Texas A&M University that accepts incoming and second-year students from small towns considering a career in medicine.
Dr. Johnson was one of eight students accepted into the program and one of three that completed medical school.
But he is the only one who returned to the small town where he grew up to practice medicine.
I interviewed Dr. Johnson during his lunch hour earlier this week and I imagine that it’s his easy-going manner and ability to put people immediately at ease that draw patients to his practice.
“From a young age I was really interested in science and helping people,” he said. “I wanted to become a doctor from the time I was in junior high school.”
After completing residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Dr. Johnson returned home in 2011 to begin practicing medicine.
“I was born and raised here and it’s really rewarding to be able to treat and see patients you have known all of your life,” he said. “I have a beautiful wife and two children and this is a great community to raise a family.”
Dr. Johnson says practicing medicine in a rural setting has benefits for both patients and caregivers and his decision to join Hamilton Healthcare System was easy.
“Our system is probably much more well-equipped than a lot of other rural systems, so patients can get what they need close to home,” he said.
Dr. Johnson offices out of two rural healthcare clinics – one in Hamilton and another in Hico.
The clinics offer wellness exams for women, adult and childhood immunizations, minor emergencies and surgical procedures, physicals and telemedicine visits.
He is typically in Hico on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and Hamilton on Tuesday and Friday.
He also works in the emergency room at Hamilton General Hospital where he performs colonoscopies and EGD’s.
Developing a good rapport with his patients is one of Dr. Johnson’s top priorities.
“I really do stress getting to know my patients, and I think all of the doctors in our group are pretty good at that,” he said. “I think that’s really important. When you get to know your patients on a personal level, it allows us to give better care.”
