Dr. Joseph M. Almand Jr. was honored by the Troup County Board of Commissioners Tuesday on his retirement from the Troup County Board of Health after 17 years and 49 years as a doctor in Troup County.

Almand has served as a pediatrician in LaGrange for decades and plans to continue treating patients at The Children’s Clinic. He has advocated scoliosis screenings and wellness checks. He is a longtime resident, and he has had a major impact on the community in the time he has lived in Troup County.

“I moved to Troup County in 1944 and moved to Hogansville,” Almand said. “I went to third through sixth grade there. Then I didn’t get back until I went to Emory, but I have been here since 1969. I am in my 49th year at the Children’s Clinic.”

Almand received a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and his M.D. from John’s Hopkins University in 1964. He retired from the U.S. Army as a major in 1969, after serving in Fort Benning’s Martin Army Hospital.

“Throughout his career as a pediatrician Dr. Almand has distinguished himself as leader in the field and a strong advocate for children’s healthcare and preventative services and was instrumental in establishing wellness checks and scoliosis screenings at the Troup County Health Department,” the proclamation in his honor read. “Now, therefore, be it proclaimed, that we, the members of the Troup County Board of Commissioners, take this opportunity to express our sincere and grateful appreciation, and hereby extend to Dr. Joseph M. Almand Jr. our congratulations on his well-earned retirement and service from the Troup County Board of Health, and our best wishes to him for continued success, happiness, and good health in the years to come.”

The Troup County Health Department also honored Almand for his work Tuesday.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners will meet again on June 5 at 9 a.m. at 100 Ridley Ave.