KNOXVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – A longtime LaFollette dentist recently received honors; the UT College of Dentistry named Dec. 1  “Doctor Gerald A. Troutman Day” as the College’s Dean presented Troutman with recognition for his 61 years of dental-care service.  Dr. Troutman, a LaFollette native and 1957 graduate of UT’s College of Dentistry, retired in October.

Dr. Troutman received the honors in a Knoxville ceremony led by Dr. James C. “Jay” Ragain Jr., Dean of the Dental College in Memphis.  Dr. Ragain, a native of Jacksboro and 1984 UT dental graduate, worked in Dr. Troutman’s downtown LaFollette office 1984 – 85 as an Associate Dentist.  Dr. Ragain noted “I really enjoyed my early service in dental care by working with, and learning from Dr. Troutman.  It was great to provide that dental care for my fellow Campbell County citizens.”

UT’s “Doctor Gerald Troutman Day”:  The UT College of Dentistry recently honored retired LaFollette dentist Dr. Gerald Troutman (left) as Dec. 1 was named the College’s “Doctor Gerald Troutman Day.”  Presiding over the ceremonies was Dr. James “Jay” Ragain Jr., a Jacksboro native who now serves as the Dean of the College.  A 1984 UT dental graduate, Dr. Ragain had served in Dr. Troutman’s office as an Associate Dentist in 1984 to 1985. 

Dr. Ragain continued “We’re excited that Dr. Troutman is the first-ever recipient of this ‘Doctor Day’ recognition from the College.  Dr. Troutman and I have kept in touch over the years at professional dental meetings, and am thrilled to see a great dentist receive this honor.”

Dr. Troutman noted his appreciation: “It’s been an absolute privilege to serve the people of my hometown and the local area, and to be recognized by UT’s Dental College.  I enjoyed sharing dental school stories with these other dentists here today.” 

UT Honors:  Dr. Gerald Troutman (seated), longtime LaFollette dentist, was recently honored as the UT College of Dentistry named Dec. 1 as “Doctor Gerald A. Troutman Day.”  Assisting in the ceremonies, from left:  Dr. Bill Powell of Knoxville; Dr. James “Jay” Ragain Jr., Jacksboro native, now Dental College Dean; Dr. Charles “Leeby” Greenblatt of Knoxville; and Dr. Jerry McKinney of Memphis.

Joining Dr. Ragain in congratulating Dr. Troutman were:  Dr. Bill Powell, a dental partner with Knoxville Endodontics; Dr. Charles “Leeby” Greenblatt of Knoxville and a past president of the UT College of Dentistry’s board of trustees; and Dr. Jerry McKinney, a faculty member at UT’s Dental School in Memphis. The honors ceremony was coordinated by Tony Burns, UT Dental College staffer who serves in its development office in Memphis.

Troutman Family at UT’s “Doctor Gerald A. Troutman Day”:  Recently-retired LaFollette dentist Dr. Gerald Troutman (seated), earned recognition for Dec. 1 as “Doctor Gerald Troutman Day” at UT’s College of Dentistry.  In the recent Knoxville ceremony, his wife Joanne holds a photo from 1960 when the dentist’s office opened.  Also participating in the recognition were some of the Troutman’s children (from left):  John, Anne, Stephen, and Martha.

Troutman Family Joins

Several members of Dr. Troutman’s family joined him for the ceremony.  His wife Joanne noted that she and Gerald met at a UT Dental School social event in Memphis, while he was in the dentistry program there from 1954 to 1957.  Also attending the recent UT Dental College ceremony were four of their six children: John of Roswell, GA; Stephen of Lenoir City; Anne of Knoxville; and Martha of Nashville. (Children unable to attend the ceremony but calling-in with their congratulations were: David of New York City, NY; and Phillip of Falls Church, VA).

State of Tennessee Honors

Earlier in November in LaFollette, Dr. Troutman was honored by the State of Tennessee House of Representatives.  Local State Representative Dennis Powers delivered a proclamation recognizing his longevity in public-health service in providing dental care.

61 years ago in downtown LaFollette:  For his longtime service in dentistry, retired Dr. Gerald Troutman recently received the honor of UT Dental College’s “Doctor Gerald Troutman Day.”  With a photo from 1960 when Dr. Troutman first opened his office are (left) long-time dental colleague and friend Dr. Bill Powell, a partner in Knoxville Endodontics, and Dr. Troutman’s daughter Martha, now of Nashville. 

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/21/2021-6AM)

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