The community showed up in force to honor a legend in the Ardmore medical field.
Dr. Thomas McCulloh was honored during a celebration of his career Saturday night at the Jerome Westheimer Center for the Performing Arts. The retiring doctor was a co-founder of the Good Shepherd Clinic whose compassion and care for patients and staff touched thousands of lives.
“You touch people every day not just with your medical knowledge but with your kind touch,” Dr. Michael Carnahan said. “Whether it be an unexpected death in the family, a cancer diagnosis or a serious health event, you have handled everything with such grace.”
Carnahan, who co-founded the Good Shepherd Clinic in 1996, said McCulloh’s compassion, humility and steadfast faith has touched countless lives, and their partnership was one of the greatest gifts of his professional life. Said their guiding principle of doing right by their patients and staff has served as a compass.
“But beyond our practice, you have shown us what it means to live a life of purpose,” he said. “Your devotion to your family, your faith and your community is an inspiration. And we thank you.”
McCulloh was presented with a legislative citation from Rep. Tammy Townley and Sen. Jerry Alvord. He was also presented with a plaque from Good Shepherd Clinic CEO Teresa Myers, which will be placed in the clinic.
Myers highlighted McCulloh’s legacy and the impact that he had on her life and the lives of others. In explaining that impact, Myers drew a line of comparison between breaking a trail on snowshoes while stationed in Alaska during her service to the country and the trail that McCulloh paved in the medical profession in Ardmore.
“The snowshoeing, as with most things in the military, if you are willing to learn, wasn’t about the physical activity,” Myers said. “It was both a life lesson and a leadership lesson. One that I understand more today than when I was exhausted from plowing through the snow.
“The lesson was about the strength required to chart an unknown course through unmarked and unchartered territory. To navigate challenging circumstances and to bear the responsibility of leading others toward a shared goal and to do so with grit, perseverance and courage.”
Myers said it takes courage to venture where no one else has gone without a map and accomplish what no one else has done before. The trail that McCulloh left made it easier for others to follow. Signifying that impact was a pair of McCulloh’s shoes prominently displayed on the stage.
“They sit here as a reminder to us all of the trails he broke and the countless lives that he has touched forging this incredible legacy of compassion and care for others above himself,” Myers said.
In accepting the plaque, McCulloh praised Myers’ leadership for the clinic and said the previous five years had been the best in his career.
“By becoming a federally funded clinic, we are now able to see our private patients that we have had for years but also we have seen patients that haven’t had health care for their diabetes or whatever for years.”
In receiving the awards and recognition, McCulloh said he was humbled.
Prior to the presentation and speeches of congratulations, there was a reception during which well-wishers had the opportunity to congratulate McCulloh on his retirement and thank him. Additional well-wishes were displayed in a video, accompanied by pictures of McCulloh both at work and with his family. His son, Dr. Stephen McCulloh and daughter Dr. Emily McCulloh Hollingsworth each talked about his impact on their lives. Also speaking were Physician Assistant Gina Hernandez-Roberts, Dr. Eugene Litteken and center attorney Michael Hisey.
“You have been with me every step of the way and to say thank you seems inadequate,” Hisey said.
The Good Shepherd Clinic, which McCulloh and Carnahan founded, has grown from a single clinic to a significant resource for the community that includes medical, dental and pharmaceutical services. More than 10,000 patients were served in 2024.
“Dr. McCulloh has been a staple to our community for so long and has been so good to so many people,” Alvord said. “This is very fitting to have this type of retirement celebration for him. It says a lot about him.
“People have taken time out of their weekend to come and honor him and his lifetime achievements. He has done amazing things for the community, and it is really impressive to see such a long life of service.”
