As many still grieve the loss of the Gamble Brothers & Archer Clinic that was destroyed in a recent fire, Dr. Robert Suares said they are taking the steps to moving forward.
Suares is one of five doctors in partnership established as the Medical Arts Building Corporation which owns the building and property that housed Gamble Brothers & Archer Clinic.
However, Suares said he is looking forward to hitting the ground running in reestablishing his practice.
The clinic was lost to a fire that broke out the night of Feb 8.
An official cause of the fire has not been disclosed by Greenville Fire Department Chief Ruben Brown as of yet.
Suares, specializing in ophthalmology, has dedicated over 20 years to the field of medicine and had been treating at Gamble Brothers & Archer Clinic since 1978, he shared.
“At one time, we had four ophthalmologists there in the clinic … I’ve been the only ophthalmologist there for a long time now,” he said.
Suares said the clinic was near and dear to him as he treated a number of patients for the many years he practiced there.
Dr. Rob Curry IV, who specializes in urology, is another one of the five doctors who owned the building and property, which housed Gamble Brothers & Archer Clinic.
Out of the five, Suares and Curry are the only two who were still practicing in the clinic and now have to reestablish their practices elsewhere.
The other three doctors are Dr. John Brooks, Dr. Hugh Gamble and Dr. James Beckham, who practices across the street from the clinic specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.
According to Suares, the clinic had been added on to several times to accommodate the varying demand of medical needs over the years.
Suares said there were three other areas being manned by nurse practitioners who were renting.
“It was a monumental fire to put out,” Suares said.
Reflecting on the events of that Saturday night and Sunday morning, Suares said he is truly thankful for the Greenville Fire Department and the other departments dispatched to assist in extinguishing the fire.
“We really want to express our deepest appreciation to them,” he said.
He also highlighted the outpouring of support from members in the community such as Jamil, Susan and Katherine Shamoon along with Joanne Favor and others who contributed to providing food and drinks for the firefighters.
“That type of service and attitude is what keeps the community together,” Suares said.
Even though he and his partner are faced with having to reestablish their practices, Suares said he is remaining positive and in good spirits about what the future holds.
“I’m still in business and plan to be for a long time … I’ll be back to provide the service my patients need and I’m not gonna let this get me down,” he said.
The former Dr. Andrew Abide’s dental building, 1540 S. Main St., Suite A, will be the new location for Dr. Suares’ ophthalmology practice.
The opening date, contact information and hours will be advertised in the coming days.
To reach his Saures’ staff for more information, call 662-822-2770 or 662-394-0477.
