Blessing Health Hannibal physician to retire Friday after 36 years in medicine

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Larry Nichols, a family medicine doctor with Blessing Health Hannibal, will retire Nov. 29, capping a 36-year career in medicine, with the past 25 at Blessing Health Hannibal.

In a press release, Nichols said, “It’s been a pleasure. Hannibal is a wonderful town, and our medical staff here is awesome. I am definitely going to miss the patients and staff.”

A native of Moberly, Nichols earned his medical degree from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his residency at Des Moines General Hospital and holds board certification from the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians.

“I was always fascinated with biology, and I am a people-person. It just seemed like a natural fit,” Nichols said of his career choice.

He was drawn to family medicine by the diversity of care and wide range of knowledge it requires — and by the people who need care.

“I have been honored to care for entire families and treated them for many years,” he said. “I retire knowing that I have impacted people’s lives and have saved several.”

Nichols’ youngest son, Mitchell, shares his father’s love of medicine and is a second-year family medicine resident in Augusta, Ga.  Nichols’ oldest son, Colton, designs computer software.

After spending seven years providing care in Cuba, Mo., Nichols relocated his practice to Hannibal on the advice of a friend. When he wasn’t seeing patients, Nichols was coaching YMCA sports, serving as doctor to several Little League teams and helping as needed as a physician for high school athletics.

Nichols plans to remain in Hannibal after retirement with his wife of 33 years, Tammy.

“I plan on playing a lot of golf and pickleball, and we’d like to do some travelling,” he said.