Dr. Jack Kirkland

WILSON - Dr. John "Jack" A. Kirkland, 79, died September 7, 2006. Dr. Kirkland practiced obstetrics and gynecology in Wilson from 1959 to 1997. He was educated in Wilson public schools, went on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for his undergraduate degree and medical school and received his M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School in 1952. After serving two years in Germany for his military service, he returned to complete his OBGYN residency in Chapel Hill serving as Chief Resident in 1958-59. After training, he returned to his native Wilson to enter private practice. As an undergraduate at Chapel Hill, Dr. Kirkland was elected head cheerleader and played in the UNC band. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa as well as the Order of the Golden Fleece. In medical school, he was president of the Whitehead Medical Society by virtue of his class rank of number one. Throughout his years he held numerous leadership positions in several professional organizations from the local to national level. He was president of the North Carolina Obstetrical and Gynecological Society in 1977-78 and chairman of the North Carolina section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists from 1980-83. In 1985 he served as President of the UNC Medical Alumni Association and later became a member of the Co-Founders Club of the Medical Foundation. Nominated for his dedication and special contributions to the University of North Carolina Medical School, Dr. Kirkland was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1989. From 1987-1995, Dr. Kirkland served on the Board of Directors, as well as Chairman, for the University of North Carolina Hospitals. In Wilson, he served as a member of the First United Methodist Church administrative board as well as chairman of the Building Fund Drive. He was president of the Wilson County chapter of the American Cancer Society and a state director of the North Carolina chapter of the American Cancer Society. A member of the Committee on Maternal Health of UNC, he served as a member of the Governor's Task Force on Primary Care. Dr. Kirkland had an exquisite understanding of the role of management and governance of the physician's need for autonomy and support. A dedicated physician, he was a model of high ideals, scholarship and service. Funeral, Sunday, 2:00 PM, First United Methodist Church. Inurnment, Maplewood Cemetery, Section G. Surviving is his wife, Elizabeth McMillan Kirkland: daughters, Cameron K. Collins, PhD, of Wilson and Sandra K. Haidinger of Vienna, VA: sons, John A. Kirkland, Jr., MD, of Charlotte and Byron B. Kirkland of Raleigh: seven grandchildren: sister, Martha K. Walston of Wilson: brother, Robert E. Kirkland, Jr., of Wilson. His family will be at 1012 Salem Street. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894: WilMed Hospice, 1705 Tarboro St, SW, Wilson, NC 27893, or to the charity of one's choice.