The Gold-Headed Cane Award is a tradition that started in the Royal College of Physicians in London. The original cane was carried by a doctor who was designated as an outstanding practitioner. Dr. John Radcliffe was the first documented physician to carry the Gold-Headed Cane in England from 1689 to 1714. The American Association of Pathologists and Bacteriologists brought the tradition to America in 1919, presenting the award to Dr. Harold Ernst, Professor of Pathology at Harvard.

From Harvard the Cane tradition was picked up by societies in California, Philadelphia, and Texas. The Award was instituted in the Taylor-Jones-Haskell County Medical Society through joint efforts of Dr. V.H. Shoultz and the late Dr. Knox Pittard of Anson in 1961.

Recorded in the minutes of the Society, were the following lines:

"The award is designed to pay tribute to outstanding members of the profession for their contributions, both to the profession and to the community, and to present to the public, in an inoffensive manner, the qualities needed to produce an outstanding physician."

The recipient of the award is chosen by a vote of his/her peers who are asked to consider a member's contributions in patient care, community service, and professional activities.

Previous Recipients

William T. Sadler, M.D.	1961
William B. Adamson, M.D.	1963
C.A. McFadden, M.D.	1965
Jarrett E. Williams, M.D.	1971
Richard B. Johns, M.D.	1973
Donald H. McDonald, M.D.	1975
Mack F. Bowyer, M.D.	1977
Travis Smith, M.D.	1979
Vardeman H. Shoultz, M.D.	1980
R. Lee Rode, M.D.	1981
L. J. Webster, M.D.	1984
Marshall D. Turnbull, M.D.	1987
George D. Thurman, M.D.	1990
Roy Willingham, M.D.	1994
B.J. Estes, M.D.	1997
Pete Palasota, M.D.	2001
George A. Dawson, M.D.	2004