We want to thank and congratulate Dr. George “Butch” Douthit Jr. and his staff at Northeast Orthopedics for opening a brand new location at 800 Pelham Road S. (beside the Family Dollar), which will not only be available to the public but also operate as the official athletic training and physical therapy provider for Jacksonville State University. Local government and business leaders gathered Friday morning to celebrate the new location’s grand opening. Despite the spacious new lobby and exercise area, there were enough people to pack the place to hear from public speakers.
“We’re excited and certainly glad they’re in town,” said Mayor Johnny Smith, who shared a memory of being elected to the City Council at the same time Butch’s father, George Douthit Sr., was elected mayor of the city. “How nice it is to have [his son] come and follow in his footsteps and providing a good quality of life for people.”
“This is so important to the City of Jacksonville,” said Tony Taylor, president of the Jacksonville City Council. “We’ve been blessed the last several years with restaurants and retail, but the healthcare of citizens is paramount.”
When Douthit spoke, it was to share gratitude for and with everyone who helped bring NEO to Jacksonville, including city leaders, the local Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville City Schools and several others. “We’re really excited to be here and work closely with Jacksonville State,” he said.