SEABOARD – The doctor is in.

The good news for the people of Seaboard is that for the first time in more than 30 years, a doctor is available in their hometown.

&uot;I grew up here. This is my home,&uot; Dr. Frank Taylor said the day Northampton Family Practice opened its doors for business earlier this month.

Taylor indicated he had desired to return to Seaboard when he graduated from the East Carolina University School of Medicine, but there was no practice there.

&uot;We’ve been talking to the town for five years and we were finally able to do it,&uot; he said.

The Eastern Seaboard Trust, a group of citizens who work to bring business to the town, renovated the building. They dubbed the building the Sallie Ransome Jordan Health Clinic in honor of a midwife who served the town.

Dr. Taylor began his medical career working in Conway where he now owns a practice, the original office of the Northampton Family Practice. He will continue to work in that office as well as spending time in Seaboard.

&uot;There has been a lot of interest,&uot; Taylor said. &uot;A lot of people have helped. There has been no doctor here in 35 years. We’re hoping this is just a first step in seeing more business come to town.&uot;

Taylor said he wants to be part of the community because both of his parents taught school there and both are buried in the town.

The town’s new medical facility began with a ribbon cutting in June where more than 350 people came to wish them well. Those in attendance had the opportunity to tour the facility and see the renovations made to the building.

&uot;I was really surprised with 350 people being here,&uot; Taylor said. &uot;There seems to be a lot of community interest. I certainly hope so because while we want to make a different in the community, this is a private practice and we have to make a living.&uot;

Joining Taylor in the practice will be Dana Clayton, a Physicians Assistant who will be in the Seaboard office 40 hours per week.

Clayton is a graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and is a native of Holland, Virginia. She has an undergraduate degree from Chowan College.

She said she was excited about working in Seaboard and meeting the community.

&uot;Family medicine is the reason I wanted to get into this,&uot; Clayton said. &uot;It is great to be back in what gave me my love for medicine.&uot;

The clinic is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily and is located on Clay Street in Seaboard. The phone number is 589-5751.