Dr . Robert G . Drake spends time looking at a book with two of his four grandchildren , Caroline ( left ) and Brooks .
Dr . Robert G . Drake enjoys hiking to Pinnacle Rock in his spare time . He learned to love the outdoors as a member of the Boy Scouts of America .
He removes the hook and puts them back in the water to fight another day . When the weather doesn ’ t allow him to be outdoors , Drake enjoys walking at Rocky Hollow Park .
“ I ’ ve walked over 22,000 miles here ,” he said , while leaving more rubber on the walking path at the facility .
Drake is the father of three daughters , all who are or at one time served as educators .
“ They had a good example from their mother ,” Drake said . “ She had a strong impact on them . They are very interested in people and caring about people .”
Drake said he is very proud of his family which including daughters , Elizabeth Ann Hoelscher , Sarah Hinton and Mary Margret Chrisman and his grandchildren , Brooks , Palmer Kate , Caroline and David .
Caring for others has been a legacy that the Drake family has passed down for many generations . Drake said his fifth great-grandfather , Jonathan Frisbie , was one of the first doctors in Monticello and his cousin , Dr . David B .
Drake , is chairman of the department of plastic surgery at the University of Kentucky .
He said if he could tell people something about doctors that they might not know it is “ how hard we work after hours , not just me , but my staff too .”
In addition to being the medical director of three Pulaski County nursing homes and running a solo family practice , he also serves on boards in his free time focusing on health in the Lake Cumberland area and Alzheimer ’ s Disease awareness .
Robert G . Drake loves the community that supported him and allowed him to become the man he is today . He attended Somerset High School and Somerset Community College , before heading to the University of Kentucky for undergraduate and medical school where he graduated as a Phi Beta Kappa .
“ I loved the education I got here ,” he said .
Robert G . Drake graduated from medical school in 1981 and did three years of residency at Culver Clinic in Madisonville , before coming home to Somerset to set up his practice .
He loves being a doctor but Robert G . Drake said that if he hadn ’ t gone into the medical profession he would have probably have gone into a field that allowed him to use his undergraduate degree in biology .
Robert G . Drake said he gets asked every day if he plans on retiring and his answer is always the same .
“ I ’ m blessed with having an outstanding staff , Karen Robinson , Rachel Abbott , Amanda Muse , Alicia Kidd and other employees that have worked with me over the years ,” he said . “ I ’ m in good health and I enjoy what I ’ m doing , so why would I retire .”
Robert G . Drake believes that those looking to go into the medical field should follow the lessons that he learned as a member of the Boy Scouts of America .
“ Be prepared to work hard and enjoy taking care of people ,” he said . “ I ’ ve worked with wonderful doctors and staff and I ’ ve enjoyed every bit of it .”
May 2023 SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky • 31