Spalding Regional Medical Center dedicated an operating room to the recently retired Dr. Lucian L. Tatum Jr. in a ceremony Friday afternoon.

“This day is meant to honor Dr. Tatum, who has worked with us for over 40 years,” said John Quinn, chief executive officer of the hospital.

“He practiced urology here and was a key physician in many positions in our hospital,” Quinn said. Quinn then listed some of the positions Tatum held, including chief of staff, chief of surgery and member of the hospital board for nearly 20 years.

“Not only was he a great doctor here, but he provided a lot of great service to the hospital in a lot of leadership roles,” Quinn said.

Tatum retired for medical reasons in September 2007 while the operating room was being renovated. Tatum helped pick out the equipment that would be used in the room but never got to use it himself. Tatum said he appreciates the support of the hospital staff.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Tatum said, voice overcome with emotion. “They’re doing more than they should and I appreciate it greatly.”

Marian Cole, perioperative director for Spalding Regional Medical Center, worked with Tatum for more than 30 years. “I didn’t have long to see how devoted he was to providing excellent patient care,” she said. “He held high standards for himself and everyone that cared for his patients. It’s just been a privilege working with him over these years, caring for the patients in our community.”

Tatum then cut a ribbon stretched across the hall leading to the operating room. After the ceremony, the guests, which included his children and grandchildren as well as co-workers at the hospital, relocated to the first floor for a reception and speeches. Quinn and Cole spoke first, then opened the floor for comments from others.

Linda Thomas, a registered nurse, started working with Tatum in 1979. “With Dr. Tatum’s help, I can honestly say he gave me the confidence I needed to learn that job,” she said.

She then said he respected all of the nurses and that they in turn respected him for his high standards.

Dr. Tom Hunt said Tatum was always willing to help other departments when they needed an extra pair of hands. “I just want to say we really appreciate you and we love you,” he said.

Tatum responded by saying that Hunt was one of the finest physicians he knew. He recounted an incident where he helped Hunt with a ruptured aneurysm and noticed that Hunt was ambidextrous - he could operate with both hands.

Granddaughter Sara Tatum spoke next. “I just wanted to say he’s a great man and I really look up to him,” she said.

She said that in the fall she will be attending nursing school at the University of Alabama and later medical school and that her grandfather had inspired her.