As I sat in the waiting room Tuesday, waiting to be seen for a freakish parenting-related injury, I started to take stock of a few things.

For one, I don’t have nearly enough games on my phone.

Given that every game my children find a way to download onto their iPads also downloads on my phone, I would think that I would have the ability or want to play at least one of the 23 options. But no; I’m apparently not that smart.

Second, and related to the first, I really need to make sure I have a full charge on my phone before heading off to the doctor.

But, as I did sit there, I began to realize something about Vicksburg that is very special, something that we as a community sometimes fail to fully appreciate and take for granted. And that is the quality of healthcare, and the quantity of healthcare options, available to us.

There are not many communities the size of Vicksburg and Warren County that can boast about having a full size, full service hospital to the quality of Merit Health’s River Region facility.

There are not many communities the size of Vicksburg that have as many medical specialties based in town.

We have cardiologists, gastroenterologists, podiatrists, dentists and oral surgeons.

Vicksburg has pharmacies to every liking, whether they be national outlets or hometown pharmacies.

We even have options of where to purchase the best set of scrubs. In fact, I was even able to buy a very official looking doctors lab coat used as a costume.

The medical sector of Vicksburg’s economy is massive and extremely valuable. It is not only valuable in the economy, those employed and the supporting businesses.

But, it is important and crucial in the overall quality of life Vicksburg and Warren County.

This is just one of the reasons why Vicksburg is becoming more attractive to retirees.

And, combined with an improving education system, why Vicksburg is becoming more attractive to families.

There are very few who like going to the doctor. Usually going to the doctor involves not feeling good or being injured. But, knowing that Vicksburg is home to such quality care is a reason to feel better.

Now, if only I had left the doctors Tuesday with a sucker, that would have been something.

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Tim Reeves is publisher of The Vicksburg Post. You may reach him at tim.reeves@vicksburgpost.com.