Retirement Reflections

Three years ago, on September 28, 2015 Mark retired from his work as an anesthesiologist at McKay Dee Hospital.  It surprised some for him to retire at the age of 58 but for us, it felt right. The decision was made several years before based on numerous factors including financial forecasts,quarterly tax reports, our children's well being with educations and careers, a post retirement trip, a transitioning into a different chapter of life, mandatory changes at work with iCentra (computerized charting during cases which Mark felt detracted from anesthesia), and general overall health.  Both of our fathers retired at the age of 58 and were glad that they did.  They offered their wisdom, love and support in this important decision.

Mark began his practice of anesthesia on July 1, 1991 at the McKay Dee Medical Center.  I loved our time spent in both Arkansas and New Jersey for internship and residency but it was wonderful to return home to Utah.  Our first child was born in Utah during medical school (the last delivery Mark's dad had before his retirement as an OB/GYN) and the next three came during residency. When Mark began his career, our oldest child began kindergarten at Sara Adams Elementary in Layton and the twins, age three, began preschool at Burton Elementary in Kaysville.  Life was busy and crazy but we felt so blessed and sighed with relief for Mark's job and to be back in Utah, surrounded by family and friends. 

Mark had a wonderful, fulfilling career and provided anesthesia to thousands of patients with hundreds of loyal pain patients on the side.  Many of his pain patients suffered from chronic back pain and needed steroid epidurals injections. Mark was masterful at regional pain blocks and he enjoyed doing them. He has always had an uncanny ability to remember human anatomy and a hyper sensibility to feel when his needle was in precisely   I got to know many of his pain patients because they would call our home phone to schedule an appointment.  They would often tell me how much they appreciated Mark and the great service he rendered. 

Mark had a pretty good sense for those truly suffering from pain and those who unfortunately might be drug seeking or abusing. He flat out refused to prescribe narcotics for long term pain use.   But if a patient suffering from chronic back pain was a proper candidate for an epidural, Mark would try to schedule their procedure within a day or so, much to the surprise and delight of the patients. 

Mark never had a malpractice lawsuits or bad outcome from a physician error during his twenty four years of practice.  He received great reviews from surgeons and patients alike. Patients who had experienced anesthesia on prior occasions from other physicians often commented on Mark's anesthesia because they were not nauseated after surgery or had wonderful regional pain blocks that put pain at bay for many hours or even days.  Because of this, Mark received many requests from patients for his anesthesia.

 Mark's graduation from the University of Utah Medical School, May 1996.

 Mark's first day of his internship at the University of Arkansas Medical Center, July 1986.

 Mark comforts Paige at age three before her bilateral hernia surgery.  Perhaps she lifted her twin brother and sister too many times at such an early age.

 This was Mark's last day of work.  Both the McKay Dee OR and Surgical Center had nice going away parties for him.

Mark finishes up a very wonderful, successful career in anesthesia, Sept. 2015.