Bob Barr: “in 1897, William Pickens Harbin, M.D., later known as Dr. Will, accepted his brother's offer to join his surgical…”

“in 1897, William Pickens Harbin, M.D., later known as Dr. Will, accepted his brother's offer to join his surgical practice in Rome, Georgia. Shortly after arriving in Rome in 1898 and borrowing money from his brother to begin his medical practice, Dr. Will left Rome to accept a commission as acting assistant surgeon in the United States Army during the Spanish-American War. He saved his military pay, repaid his brother's loan, and returned to Rome after the war in 1901. The first practice location for the two Harbin brothers was on the second floor of the building at 206 Broad Street in Rome. Prospective patients would shout up from the sidewalk to learn if one or both doctors were in before walking up the long staircase. The cost of an office visit was usually $1 and home visits ranged from $2 to $3. Mr. Speaker, today the Harbin Clinic staff includes 112 physicians, representing 27 medical specialties. This Sunday, the 28th of June, 1998, they will hold a ceremony in honor of the clinic's 50th anniversary. I am proud to salute the Harbin Clinic for all it does to serve our community and heal our citizens.”