Dr. Sluis had a parade

Patients and friends of Vicksburg pediatrician Dr. Gordon Sluis honored him with a drive-thru parade on his last day on the job Wednesday.

The parade, organized by his staff at the Merit Health Medical Group on North Frontage Road, saw dozens of cars filled with current and former grateful patients parade past the entrance to the clinic, waving and giving him cards and other mementos.

It was a fitting end to a long, distinguished and appreciated career taking care of Vicksburg’s children, and a unique tribute at a time when social distancing is encouraged and large group events banned.

After more than 37 years of practice in Vicksburg, Sluis has seen hundreds, perhaps thousands of his patients grow from infancy to adulthood. Many of them turned out for the parade this afternoon, which lasted about 40 minutes.

“I’m honored and humbled,” Sluis said at the end, and he thanked the organizers “and all those who came … and to our Lord.”

“It’s been a pleasure,” he said about his many years of service to the community, and he added, “Go Vicksburg!”

See our story about Dr. Sluis and watch our live, on-the-scene report on our Facebook page.