By Michael Freeman, Managing Editor

Dr. Anthony Rector, physician and former director of the ACU Medical Clinic, left the university in late July to pursue a career in private practice and mission work. Health Services since has entered into a contract with Dr. Jeff Jackson, a local family practice physician, to help fill the void, while the university searches for a permanent replacement.

“We’re still searching,” said Kathy Stokes, Health Services office manager. “But how we’re going to provide care here isn’t going to change.”

Rector now is practicing holistic medicine in the Dallas area. He also is working on a fellowship with the University of Arizona and planning to do some mission work in Thailand with single mothers.

With Rector gone, Health Services will have two physicians and two nurse practitioners working under contract for three days per week.Women’s health clinics and family planning for married students will be new services available for students.

For more serious cases during the days the contracted doctors are not working, Health Services recommends students go to Hendrick Medical Center or walk-in clinics such as Dr. J’s Express Care, which is located by Wal-Mart on State Highway 351.

“Actually, we’ll be able to treat more students because we’ll have two physicians instead of one,” Stokes said. “But I know it’s going to be hard for some students who’ve been seeing Dr. Rector since their freshman year.”