Pathways honors retiring local behavioral health pioneer

JACKSON, Tenn.–A special event was held Tuesday honoring a pioneer in behavioral health care in the region.

Dr. Richard Drewery has dedicated 67 years of service to his patients and the community and is now retiring.

Dr. Drewery played a major role in what is now Pathways, a behavioral health service that provides specialized inpatient, outpatient and emergency psychiatric care for children, adolescents and adults here in West Tennessee.

The staff at the facility threw a surprise celebration for Dr. Drewery and shared a few words.

“We are feeling bittersweet, we are celebrating the retirement of Doctor Richard Drewery who has been here for 67 years. Pathways opened in 1957 and he came on board early in 1959, and has been here the whole time,” said Donald Jordan, the clinical program manager.

Leaders with Pathways say Dr. Drewery’s work will have a lasting influence on behavioral health care in West Tennessee.