School Student Center Named Col. James R. Almand, MD Student Activity Center
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| Dr. James Almand speaks to a standing room only crowd at the dedication ceremony on Friday for Grand Prairie High School's Col. James Almand, MD Student Activity Center. |
The Grand Prairie ISD held a dedication ceremony Friday to name Grand Prairie High School’s Student Activity Building as the Col. James R. Almand MD Student Activity Center after prominent local physician and retired Air Force Colonel, Dr. James Almand, MD.
Dr. Almand, who setup his medical practice in Grand Prairie in 1956, has served the school district for more than thirty years. He provided low cost physicals to students who participated in athletics and other school activities. The money raised from these physicals was used to fund the Dr. James Almand Scholarship that has provided more $50,000 in scholarship to deserving graduating seniors.
He served as the Gopher team doctor and is currently the school district’s Automated External Defibrillator medical director.
Dr. Almand was instrumental in bringing the ROTC program to the district.
As a member of the armed forces from 1956 to 1997, Dr. Almand served in both the Navy and Air Force. He reached the rank of Colonel in the 10th Air Force where he was the Chief Flight Surgeon serving around the world.
With a standing room only crowd in the newly named center, Dr. Almand expressed his appreciation for the honor of having his name on the center.
“I pray that all those who have and will walk through these doors will continue the tradition of giving back to your community some of the things that the community gives to you,” he concluded.
