Dr. ‘Max’ Fruge is retiring

After a lifetime of dedication to healing, Dr. Lloyd (Max) Fruge is hanging up the white coat to enjoy a well-deserved new chapter. Dr. Max is retiring from practicing medicine January 29, 2026.

Dr. Lloyd Mason Fruge, known to most as Max, was born on December 5, 1956, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Lloyd and Norma Jeane Fruge. He grew up alongside his sister, Lindy Fruge, and spent his school years at Wheelock Elementary and Lubbock Monterey High School, graduating in 1975.

Max attended Texas Tech University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology in 1979. While considering future paths in medicine or mathematics, his direction became clear through the influence of his family physician someone who consistently showed compassion and generosity in caring for others. That example left a lasting impression and inspired Max to pursue a career in medicine so he could serve others in the same meaningful way.

He attended medical school at UT Southwestern Medical School, graduating in 1983, and completed his residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth in 1986. That same year, on July 14, 1986, Dr. Fruge began his medical practice in Atlanta, Texas— where he would go on to serve the community for nearly four decades.

Licensed in family practice, Dr. Fruge’s scope of care reflected the true breadth of small-town medicine. His work included pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, inpatient hospital care, and assisting in the operating room. Early in his career, all physicians at Ellington Memorial Hospital shared responsibility for delivering babies, caring for emergency room patients, admitting hospital patients, and providing clinic care. Over the years, Dr. Fruge delivered more than 600 babies before concluding his obstetrics practice in 1997, an extraordinary milestone that represents generations of families who began their stories under his care.

Atlanta became home through both professional trust and personal conviction. During residency, Dr. Fruge trained alongside Dr. Tim O’Kelley, who spoke highly of Atlanta as a place to live and practice. When Max visited, he met Dr. Dan and Gretchen Nichols and Dr. Dave and Nancy Morris—relationships that would become lifelong partnerships and friendships. After spending time in prayer, he felt a sense of peace that Atlanta—and the doctors he would practice alongside—were exactly where he was meant to serve. At the time, the clinic was located on Hiram Street, across from First Baptist Church, in the original Atlanta Ellington Memorial Hospital building constructed in 1936. In 1997, the clinic moved to its current location adjacent to what is now CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital–Atlanta.

One of Dr. Fruge’s greatest professional influences was Dr. Dan Nichols, who demonstrated the critical importance of high-quality healthcare in rural communities. That belief shaped Dr. Fruge’s approach to medicine, rooted in accessibility, trust, and long-term relationships with patients and families.

In 1981, Max married Teresa Howard, whom he met while attending Texas Tech. Together they raised three children: Anne, born in 1984; Emily, born in 1987; and Patrick, born in 1990. Throughout his career, Teresa and their children made countless sacrifices—supporting late nights in the emergency room, long weekends, holidays spent on call, and time missed at family events. Their patience, understanding, and steady encouragement allowed Max to serve his patients fully, even when the demands of medicine were heavy.

After his first five years of practice, Dr. Fruge began to sense a deeper purpose in his work. Colossians 3:23 became a guiding verse: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (NIV). From that point forward, he viewed his medical practice as a ministry—

When reflecting on his career, Dr. Fruge defines success not by titles or accolades, but by the privilege of helping people through physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges, praying with patients, and witnessing what God was doing in their lives.

Among his most memorable moments are the countless prayers shared with patients and families, and the rare experience of delivering triplets—an event accomplished by Dr. Fruge alongside Dr. Dan Nichols and Dr. Tim O’Kelley.

As Dr. Fruge retires on January 29, 2026, after nearly 40 years of caring for the people of Atlanta, Texas, his focus turns toward family and what lies ahead. His family has grown to include seven grandchildren—Jaycee, Kaydence, Bryer, Maren, Mason, Iris, and Adelaide—who bring him immense joy and perspective. In retirement, Max looks forward to investing his time, energy, and resources into his family and remaining open to whatever ministry God has planned for him next.

Dr. Fruge hopes that, in some small way, his years of service made life a little easier and a little longer for those he cared for—and that through it all, God received the glory He deserves.

Carla Roadcap, CEO Genesis PrimeCare, states “Dr. Fruges’ 40 years of service to the community and Genesis PrimeCare has been such a valuable asset. His faithful dedication to patient care has made a tremendous impact on us all. He will be missed!”

Genesis PrimeCare Ellington Memorial Clinic is honoring Dr. Fruges’’ 40 Years of Service.

You are invited to join us as we celebrate Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 101 E. Pinecrest Drive in Atlanta.

The Mix and Mingle is from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and we will have Dr. Fruges’ Recognition Presentation and cake ceremony at 5:30 PM. We encourage you to stop by and Mix and mingle with us and have some light hors d’oeuvres. We hope you can join us for this special occasion as we recognize Dr. Fruge’s legacy and wish him well in his next chapter!

Genesis PrimeCare Ellington Memorial Clinic has been a vital part of our community for many years. When the clinic was founded as Ellington Memorial Hospital in 1936, it was driven by a true love for our community and a desire to care for the people in our community. Over the years, there has been much growth and change, but the small core values are still upheld today. The mission of Genesis PrimeCare is to positively impact the health and well-being of the communities we serve. WWW. GenesisPrimeCare.org