On August 8, 2025, the Medical Alumni Association (MAA) had the honor of celebrating the 100th birthday of Cecil Prescott Jr., M.D., a milestone that makes him the MAA’s oldest living alumni member.

Prescott in the Navy, 1943. A notable stint from his Navy years was serving on the USS Consolation and participating in bringing back the U.S. prisoners of war from Bataan. One of his superiors in the Navy planted the idea in his head that he might make a good doctor. When he told his girlfriend Nell, my mom, she loved the idea and he used his GI Bill benefits to help with college tuition after the war ended.

His service in the Navy during World War II aboard the USS Consolation, a hospital ship that cared for victims of the Bataan Death March, would lead him to his career in medicine. Prescott’s daughter, Cyndy Salmon, shared, “One of his superiors in the Navy planted the idea in his head that he might make a good doctor. When he told his girlfriend Nell, my mom, she loved the idea and he used his GI Bill benefits to help with college tuition after the war ended.”

In 1946, he married Nell and they would go on to be married for nearly 77 years before she died at the age of 97 in 2023. They have three daughters: Cecilia, Cynthia, and Carolyn.

After graduating from medical school, Prescott began his medical career in Lineville, Alabama, where he co-founded a general practice clinic alongside Otis Cook, M.D. His commitment to serving others was evident from the start.

In 1964, he returned to Birmingham with his family to complete a residency in Psychiatry, a field in which he would make a lasting impact for decades to come. The Prescott family later moved to Montgomery, where Prescott continued his dedicated service as a psychiatrist and helped to establish the psychiatric unit at Montgomery's Jackson Hospital. He spent his career offering compassionate care to the community until his retirement.

Outside of medicine, Prescott’s lifelong passion is music. He was given his first piano at the age of 7 and he plays the saxophone. He shares his passion for music with his children, who all play instruments themselves. A dance band he played with for many years regularly performs in his retirement home and performed for his 100th birthday celebration.

Prescott received a host of well wishes for his birthday, including one from Anupam Agarwal, M.D., senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the Heersink School of Medicine: “On this incredible milestone, we honor not only your century of life but also your remarkable legacy of service, compassion, and joy.”

Prescott as a young general practitioner leaving his clinic in Lineville, Alabama, circa 1955-56.

Prescott celebrated his 100th birthday on August 8th, 2025.