The Louisiana Academy for Family Physicians recognized Dr. Jack Fair as its Member of the Month for October. Fair graduated from Northwestern State with honors in biology and chemistry in 2002.
Fair has been a board-certified family medicine physician in his hometown of Natchitoches, for the past decade. Fair was the valedictorian of his 1998 class at St. Mary’s Catholic School where he played varsity football and baseball. He attended medical school at LSUHSC -Shreveport where he was awarded the Michael O. Fleming, M.D., Family Medicine Award and the 8th Annual Gladney Endowment by North Louisiana AHEC for his commitment and leadership in rural family medicine. He completed his rural family medicine residency in 2010 at North Caddo Medical Center in Vivian where he was chief resident.
Get to Know Dr. Fair
Tell Us About Your Family.
My wife of 8 years, Mary Beth, is an attorney and assistant professor at NSU. We have two very energetic sons, Luke (age 6) and Beau (age 3), who take up all of our free time. Luke just started first grade and Beau just started Pre-K 3.
What are Your Hobbies?
I am an avid outdoorsman who spends most weekends on my family’s property with my two boys. We enjoy hunting, fishing, riding 4-wheelers, and shooting BB guns. We recently found a new pastime – growing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in our own garden.
Who or what influenced your medical career?
During college, I worked at Cornerstone Pediatrics in Natchitoches, where my love for children’s healthcare began. I gained invaluable knowledge there from amazing pediatricians who would later become my colleagues, Dr. Christa Rodriguez, Dr. Brett Rodriguez, and Dr. James Thibodaux.
I was also incredibly fortunate to have been trained in rural family medicine by men who are legends in their own right, Dr. Wyche Coleman, Jr., during 3rd year medical school in Coushatta, as well as, Dr. John Haynes and Dr. Stephen Taylor during residency in Vivian. I am forever grateful for the guidance and knowledge these three men bestowed upon me.
What is the best experience you have had throughout your work career?
The best experience I have had was meeting my partner, Dr. John Hogg, and building a successful private practice with him. Despite having job offers across the state, I knew I wanted to return home in order to help the community where I grew up. I joined John, who was already an established Natchitoches physician, and together we formed our clinic, The Family Doctors of Natchitoches.
How do you make a difference in family medicine and in your community?
I teach and mentor the next generation of future doctors by being a volunteer preceptor for LSUHSC-Shreveport. I really enjoy getting to show medical students what I do on a daily basis, and to encourage them to specialize in family medicine. I am passionate about the importance of primary care and the great need we have for more doctors in this area.
I help my local community by giving back to different causes. I am a past member of the Natchitoches Area Jaycees and the NSU Foundation Board. I support local chapters of Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Coastal Conservation Association. I also enjoy sponsoring area youth, high school, and collegiate sports teams.
Why did you choose family medicine, and what is your favorite aspect of the specialty?
I chose family medicine because I enjoy the spontaneity that comes along with primary care. My current patient population ranges from newborn to 101-years-old. The healthcare decisions that come along with seeing such a wide variety of patients each day never gets boring and keeps me on my toes.
My favorite aspect of this specialty is the familiarity I have with my patients. I strive to be available and approachable to them. They are like my family. I want them to all live long, healthy, productive lives.
