I am sorry I have been away for a while. This is a letter I am posting in the newspapers. This should explain my absence. I will get the other stuff caught up in the next day or two. _________________

I would like to say thank you to all who have supported Dr. Mel Carter and our family during this trying time. It is true that Dr. Carter had open heart surgery on Thursday the 8th. This was a sudden and un-expected event. I am very pleased to report that he is doing great and is expected to make a full recovery. As of Saturday morning, he is out of the intensive care unit and in a private room laughing and visiting with his grandkids, and he came home on Monday the 12th.

Dr. Boorman and Dr. Price were able to diagnose the problem within minutes of Dr. Carter entering the emergency room. And the best news is that Dr. Millar, his cardiac surgeon, was able to fix his heart before it caused any damage to the muscle. We are telling everyone that he has a perfectly healthy heart with new plumbing. My dad is saying he has had a quintuple bypass with a normal ventricle.

I would also like you know that even though Dr. Worwood gave notice on Christmas Eve that he is leaving Dr. Carter, and The Hurricane Family Clinic, we still have Dr. Cordell Watson, Lou Rossi PA, Helen McMahon NP, Mike McMahon PA, and Tom Bean PA that will all be running the clinic until Dr. Carter’s return. The Clinic has the best staff in the world, and I would ask that you continue to utilize the clinic in Dr. Carter’s absence. Dr. Gayle Carter and his office will be helping with any OB patients.

I can’t begin to express my gratitude to all those who have helped with my dad’s care. Please know that words can’t begin to describe how we as a family feel towards the medical staff that has taken care of Dr. Carter. As far as we are concerned, they are all now family.

Again, thank you to everyone for your support. Feel free to call me on my cell phone at 435-229-1418 anytime for an update or with any questions.

Sincerely,

Ryan Carter