Union City, Tennessee – Jackson’s Dr. Ronald Kirkland was one of four people recognized during The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards Gala which was held at the museum and heritage park, Saturday.

The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award recognizes individuals for their contributions to inspiring children and adults to see beyond, and whose work, like that of Discovery Park, brings enlightenment, inspiration and education to those whose lives they’ve touched.

The gala and awards ceremony, which brought together leaders, policymakers, philanthropists and others to celebrate the honorees, all of whom have deep roots in West Tennessee.

Dr. Ron Kirkland is originally from Union City, Tenn., and was a practicing physician for over 33 years.

Ron is a past chairman of the board of The Jackson Clinic, Aspell Recovery Center, the American Medical Group Association, and the American Medical Group Foundation.

Passionate about serving his community, Kirkland is currently the President of the Tennessee Medical Association, past president of the Jackson Rotary Club, and past president of the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association.

He has served on the University of Tennessee Athletic Board, the Jackson-Madison County Chamber of Commerce Board and the Jackson Arts Council Board.

Ron currently serves on the Board of Directors of Baptist Hospital Memphis.

Kirkland was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a sergeant after serving a tour in Vietnam as a counterintelligence agent. He is married to the former Carol Ann Glasgow, and they have four children and eight grandchildren.

The 2022 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees are:

Anita Kay Archer
Lt. Gen. John “Glad” Castellaw (Ret.)
Dr. Ron Kirkland
Jerry Reese

(PHOTO: Dr. Ronald Kirkland, left, recognized during The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards Gala, Saturday)