I just arrived home from an event recognizing the retirement of Dr. Jerry Walton, a senior partner in my clinic. Jerry has been a great friend and mentor to me for the last eight years. He has been a strong advocate for family practice and was honored by our organization in 1990 as Family Doctor of the Year. His leadership in the Sioux Falls community has given me something to strive toward. Along with my other partners, especially Dr. Richard Friess and Dr. Mike Olson, I have been fortunate to work with family  doctors who recognize the importance of giving back to your community.

The "surprise" event I mentioned earlier was arranged by his five daughters and other family members. I went there expecting 75 or so people, but when I arrived there were 300 crammed into the reception room! Physicians, friends, patients, and others whose lives he touched in his years of service were there to honor (aka, "roast") him. Being of a fairly young age I have not been to many retirement functions, but this one was truly enjoyable. To hear family members, old friends, and another physician all talk of their admiration for Jerry was inspirational.

I, and maybe you also, easily forget how we impact people's lives as a family doctor. It is not just a job, it is a lifestyle and lifelong commitment from ourselves and our families (especially spouses) to function in our many roles while maintaining proper balance. I have seen very few individuals in my life who have juggled these roles as skillfully as Jerry Walton. His words at the end of the roast focused not on himself, but on his family and friends, most importantly his wife Pat.

Jerry is not fully retiring. I have already seen him stop by the clinic twice in the last week, both times wearing a suit and tie. He will serve as medical director of the Sioux Valley Health Plan and continue his weekly "Medical Line" radio show on Thursday afternoons (4pm on WSN !). I can't picture Jerry in bermuda shorts, playing cards in some retirement community. I suspect he could kick my butt in racquetball, but he won't give me the chance to challenge him (I know I can beat him in golf). There has even been talk of him working for the Chippendale dance troupe!

I will miss Jerry's constant optimism and compassion at the office. I have the honor of now caring for many of his patients, all of whom are saddened by his absence, but happy as am I that, like Michael Jordan & John Elway, he left while on the top of his game. Congratulations Jerry! You deserve a rest.