07/01/2026
✨Provider Work Anniversary✨
John Ford, MD
Medical Doctor | July 1st, 1973
For the past 53 years, Dr. John Ford has been a dedicated and trusted physician for Lexington and surrounding communities. He arrived fresh out of medical school in 1973. And, has now spent more than five decades caring for generations of families while witnessing and adapting to some of the most significant advances in modern medicine. From paper charts and limited diagnostic tools to electronic health records, advanced imaging and groundbreaking treatments, Dr. Ford has seen the medical field transform in extraordinary ways. Through every change and with his Caffeine-Free Diet Coke by his side; his commitment to providing thoughtful care has remained constant, making a lasting impact on countless patients and the community he proudly serves.
Get to know Dr. John Ford💬
What did you want to be going up?
-The one thing I wasn't going to be when I went off to college was a doctor. Well, I graduated with a degree in forestry. I worked for the Forestry Services for five years and decided it wasn't challenging enough. I wanted to live in a small town, and I questioned what I could do in a small town that would be interesting. So, I decided that medicine was the path to pursue.
How did you get into this field?
-I was born in North Dakota and lived there for six years. Then I lived in Chicago for another five years. After that, I moved to Billings, Montana, where I attended high school. I later attended the University of Montana in Missoula, where I studied forestry.
When I decided to switch to medicine, Montana didn't have a medical school. I searched and applied to 13 different medical schools. Back then, I couldn’t apply to a “state” school. A friend of mine in the Forest Service told me to apply to Nebraska (UNMC). I thought, "Nebraska? What's there?" So, I called and was told the same story; they didn't accept out-of-state students. They suggested I try Creighton and gave me a phone number. Creighton sent me an application, which I filled out and returned. Two weeks later, they sent me an acceptance letter. Another school, Northwestern University in Chicago, told me I was fifth on the waiting list and that there was no guarantee I would get in. They advised me to accept Creighton's offer. I came to Nebraska and liked it. We lived in the Omaha area to start with.
After becoming a surgical resident, I was drafted into the Vietnam War. I received my orders and was sent to San Antonio for basic training. After training, I was sent back to Omaha to perform induction physicals. I conducted physicals for every kid joining any branch of the military. I was doing a couple hundred physicals a day! Once my Army duty was finished, I decided to complete my residency. Creighton had started a Family Medicine program and needed a resident, so they talked me into doing a Family Medicine residency. The clinic here in Lexington (PCMG) was part of the rotation. They liked me, I liked them, and they offered me a job. The rest is history! It was Dr. Weston who recruited me.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
-Every time I see a patient, it's like a puzzle, and I have to solve it. It's a challenge that makes me use my brain. That's why I keep doing it in my 80s, and I'll keep doing it until I can't.
What is your favorite memory from your time at PCMG?
-Oh gosh, there’s too many of them.
What is the best vacation you've been on?
-That's a hard one. I'm old, I have lots of vacations to sift through.
What hobbies do you have outside of work?
-I like to fish and hunt. Nebraska offers great waterfowl and upland bird hunting. Most of my fishing is done in Montana. (And eating Snickers chocolate bars and ice cream, per his nurse)
Dr. John Ford, we not only celebrate your 53 years of service, but the humor and heart you’ve shared with all of us along the way. We are so grateful for you and proud to celebrate this milestone with you. Congratulations!!💜🎉
