Doc Holland

John "Doc" Holland passed away Tuesday. He was a member of our church and I got to know him about 10 years ago when he headed up the church's Benevolence committee. He treated every request with careful consideration and I very much respected both his wisdom and genuine humility. He was a great example of a true Christian. I was very blessed to know him.

Obituary from the State Journal-Register

SPRINGFIELD - John Madison Holland, MD, 82, of Springfield, went to be with the Lord at 12:35 pm, Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at St. John's Hospice surrounded by family members. He was born October 7, 1927 in Holden, WV, the son of O.I. and Lou Vena Holland. He married Mary Louise Bourne in Harrodsburg, KY in 1950. They have three children; John David (wife Margaret) Holland of Chatham, Stephen Lee Holland (friend: Lois Walsh) of Saratoga Springs, NY and Nancy Louise (husband Randy) Pickett of Chatham; seven grandchildren Andrew Holland, Peter (Leanne) Holland, Charissa (Lucas) Motley, Rebecca Holland, Brent (Ashley) Pickett, Matt Pickett and Melissa Pickett and 1 great grandson Ethan.

He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1949 and University of Louisville Medical School in 1952. After graduating he went into training at St. Joseph Infirmary in Louisville. He served from 1953-1955 in the US Air Force Medical Service as a Captain in Pennsylvania. Dr. Holland began practicing family medicine with Dr. Paul LaFata in Springfield, IL in 1955 which became the Physicians Group, where he practiced until 1980. He served as St. John's Hospital's first Medical Director from 1971-1995. He then served as Medical Director for St. John's Hospice from 1995-2010. He was active in developing the Community Blood Bank and paramedic programs. He served 12 years in the State Professional Medical Licensure Board. Since the 1980's he was a Clinical Professor of Family Practice with the SIU School of Medicine teaching end of life and hospice care. He was a Past President of St. John's Hospital Medical Staff and The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians. In 1970 he became a Charter Member of the American Board of Family Practice and in 2001 a member of the American Board of Palliative and Hospice Medicine. He was a member of South 7th Street-Cherry Hills Baptist Church since 1957. He was active in several building programs and Co-Chaired the Church's 100th Anniversary Committee in 2004. He was also a deacon and Sunday School teacher.

With life membership in the Sangamon County Medical Society he has chaired the Community Health Committee, leading the 1995-2005 efforts toward merging the City and County Health Departments. His Honors have included the Illinois State Medical Society, Public Service Award in 1996, the March of Dimes Humanitarianism Award in 2001, the SIU Family Practice Resident "Teacher of the Year" Award in 2003 and the Copley (Illinois State Journal Register) First Citizen Award in 2004. He received the John M. Holland, MD Community Health Service Award, which was created in his honor, and presented to him, by the Sangamon County Medical Society in 2007.

He enjoyed gardening, model trains and spending time with his family.

A visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., Sunday, August 29, 2010 at Cherry Hills Baptist Church. A lie in state will be held at Cherry Hills Baptist Church from 10:30-11 a.m., Monday, August 30, 2010 with a funeral service at 11 a.m., with Pastor Jeff Nelsen and Reverend David Holland officiating. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Cherry Hills Baptist Building Fund or St. John's Hospital Foundation for Hospice.