Dr. Whit Gallaspy, the head doctor at the OB/GYN unit at LSU Bogalusa Medical Center, was voted last year’s most outstanding citizen on Monday during a meeting at The Daily News office.
He is the 50th person to receive the award, which is chosen through a vote of previous honorees. Nominees for the award are chosen by the public.
 The 2008 Bogalusa Citizen of the Year, Dr. Whit Gallaspy, sits on his front steps flanked by his parents, Dixie and John Gallaspy, both previous Citizen of the Year winners. Other past honorees stand in background. They are (from left): Marjorie Cutrer, Carl Cutrer, Beverly Sheridan, Vaiden Barlow, Dr. Walter Tisdale, Mickey Murphy, the Rev. James Cyrus, Stephen Genco, George Bateman and Greg Genco. Advertisement |
He was surprised at the visit and still in his hospital uniform when approached by the group. When told of the honor, Gallaspy was humbled, and said others were more deserving.
“I don’t know what to say except I don’t deserve it,” he said.
But the election committee saw otherwise, and chose Gallaspy from eight nominees during a meeting that lasted about an hour. The local doctor did have a big year in 2008, which included a deployment to Afghanistan and the opening of local hospital’s OB/GYN or “Special Beginnings” unit after a 10-year hiatus.
Gallaspy, at lieutenant colonel with the Louisiana National Guard served with the New York National Guard from July through October last year in the Middle East.
“There’s a real shortage of doctors, so they pull doctors from other states,” Gallaspy said. It was his second tour of duty to that part of the world, having deployed with Louisiana National Guard to Iraq in 2004.
The doctor attributed a great staff at LSU BMC for his success there and the blossoming of the new OB/GYN unit.
Gallaspy is also working with city officials to construct a new recreation area at Lake Vista near Ponemah Cemetery were folks, young and old, can easily fish or enjoy nature.
Gallaspy’s wife, Stacy, described him as a family man who works a lot.
But local doctor is quick to pass the credit.
“I couldn’t do any of it without my wife,” he said. The couple has four children: Connor, 12, Caitlyn, 12, Marianna, 9, and Molly, 3.
Both of Gallaspy’s parents are previous Citizen of Year winners ” John Gallaspy in 1965 and Dixie Gallaspy in 1982. Both were on hand to see their son named the 2008 winner.
“I’m just immensely proud of him,” said John Gallaspy, a Bogalusa attorney. “He has a lifelong history of service to other people.”
A meet and greet reception for Gallaspy has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bogalusa Country Club. The public is invited, and Gallaspy will receive a medal for his accomplishment.
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