Wlaf1450TOP PHOTO: LaFollette Medical Center’s New surgeon Derrick Galapon spoke at Tuesday’s Rotary Club luncheon at the LaFollette United Methodist Church.
By Charlotte Underwood
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Tennova Healthcare LaFollette Medical Center CEO Mark Cain introduced the hospital’s new surgeon Derrick Galapon at Tuesday’s South Campbell County Rotary Club luncheon.
Dr. Galapon brings 38 years of experience to the table and will be offering a range of general surgery services to the community,” according to Cain, who said LaFollette was “fortunate to have such a well qualified surgeon” bring his skills to the community.
Galapon is a board certified physician and U.S Army Veteran with over 35 years of experience. He is a Vanderbilt graduate with a degree in molecular biology. He began his medical career with the United States Army, interning and completing his residency with Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He has served as a flight surgeon, a staff general surgeon and eventually chief of general surgery. He received his medical degree with the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. Before joining Tennova General Surgery, Dr. Galapon served as a general surgeon for Hardin Medical Center in Savannah. Tennessee and Cumberland Surgery in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Dr. Galapon spoke about his time in the military, his time in Central America, as well as moving to Campbell County and starting this new chapter in his career.
“Everyone has been very helpful, and I’m excited about being here and impressing everyone with my doctor abilities,” Galapon said.
He is a General surgeon and operates on thyroid, gall bladders, hernias, as well as some advanced laparoscopic surgeries, endoscopic procedures and other general surgery needs.
Dr. Galapon said he and his wife loved the community and the people of Campbell County already. His mother is from Jamestown, Tennessee, and he has “been familiar with and loved East Tennessee his whole life.”
“It’s easy to see the strength in this community is the people. I’m looking forward to being a part of the community and hopefully to retire here,” Galapon said.
Hospital CEO Mark Cain said Tennova was looking forward to having him on the general surgery team as well as his contributions in training medical students at the hospital. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/10/2023-6AM)