Forrest W. Calico

1940 - 2016

CRAB ORCHARD - Forrest W. Calico, M.D., M.P.H., was born on Oct 25, 1940 to parents Earl E. Calico and Blanche H. Calico in Garrard Co., KY. He passed away at home on the family farm in Lincoln Co., on June 13, 2016 after striving against multiple myeloma for several years. He is survived by his wife Patricia Calico, his son Jefferson and wife Cari Calico, and his daughter Tricia and husband Wes Cohron, grandchildren Carson, Quincy, Whitley and Lincoln Calico and Cooper and Carter Cohron, sister Helen Eden and nephew Edwin Langford. From humble beginnings, Forrest excelled in many pursuits particularly in Family and Preventive Medicine. After receiving his M.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1966, he had a distinguished career in the USAF as a flight surgeon, hospital administrator, family physician and residency director. In his civilian life, Forrest continued his commitment to medicine and wellness. He directed the Residency in Family Medicine for St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Kenton Co., and served as the President and CEO of Appalachian Regional Healthcare. Forrest had both passion and vision for addressing the issue of rural medicine, which he pursued with the Federal Office for Rural Health Policy, as a Senior Adviser for Rural Quality with the National Rural Health Association, and as Director of the University of Kentucky Center for Rural Health in Danville, KY. He was the recipient of many awards including a Bronze Star and a Meritorious Service Award with the Air Force, a distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and was inducted into the University of Kentucky College of Public Health Hall of Fame. He was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health. He served on many Boards and Committees including the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, The Friedell Committee for Health System Transformation, Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital Board of Directors, and the Lincoln County Board of Health. He spent his retirement on the farm, deeply involved in his community. He was a published author of numerous health care articles as well as his memoir, Out of the Blue. Throughout his life, he was active in church most recently as a member and generous supporter of The Church at Cedar Creek. He was an avid reader, an intellectual with a keen and curious mind, and a student of history. He was a music lover with interests spanning bluegrass to the pipe organ. We proudly remember him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, who was always inspiring and encouraging us to make the most out of life, put our gifts to use, work hard to become better than we are, and to step through the doors of opportunity that life provides. A Celebration of Life will be held in Forrest's honor on Sat, June 18, 2016. The family will receive guests from 2-5pm and a memorial service will be held at 3 pm, at The Church at Cedar Creek, 5787 US Hwy 150 E, Stanford, KY 40484. Donations in memory of Forrest may be given to The Friedell Committee for Health System Transformation, P.O. Box 910953, Lexington, KY 40591, or to the University of Kentucky, Dr. Patricia A. Calico Endowed Nursing Scholarship, ATTN: Aimee' Baston, Director, Alumni and Development, UK College of Nursing, 315 College of Nursing Building, Lexington, KY 40536.