Dr. Donald Tarr and Lisa Heaton

Mountain City, Tenn. - Friends and family gathered recently for an evening reception in celebration of Dr. Donald Tarr's 50 years of medical service. "Dr. Tarr is highly respected by his peers because of his many contributions to the medical field throughout the years," said Lisa Heaton, administrator at Johnson County Community Hospital. Mountain States Health Alliance presented Tarr with a plaque for his 50 years of service and contributions to JCCH. Tarr also received a City Proclamation by Mountain City Mayor Kevin Parsons. Heaton said that a couple hundred people attended the drop-in social. Among cake and finger foods, a memorabilia display portrayed Tarr's "full life," including his NASCAR career. "Everyone showed such gratitude," Heaton said. "So many people left cards for Dr. Tarr that the basket was overflowing."

About Mountain States Health Alliance

Mountain States Health Alliance, a not-for-profit healthcare organization based in Johnson City, Tenn., operates a family of hospitals serving a 29-county, four-state region (Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Southeastern Kentucky and Western North Carolina). Mountain States offers a large tertiary hospital, several community hospitals, two critical access hospitals, rehabilitation, a children's hospital, a behavioral health hospital, home care and hospice services as well as a comprehensive medical management corporation. Its 10,000 team members and associated physicians are committed to its mission of bringing loving care to health care. For more information, visit www.msha.com.