BUCKLAND — Patients and colleagues of Dr. Richard Warner say they’ll miss his medical practice, but after 33 years of providing care, he deserves to enjoy his retirement.
Although he retired and closed his practice in December, Warner opened his doors again on Thursday, allowing patients to say goodbye and thank you, as well as share stories of their medical care over the past three decades.
Shelburne Falls resident Sara Looman had been Warner’s patient since he first established his practice in the early 1990s, having signed up for his waiting list in anticipation of his return from a year working in Ghana.
“I’ve been here since he was in Africa. I signed up before he came home and I had my first appointment in ’92,” Looman said. “He’s been great.”
Looman’s niece, Turners Falls resident Charlotte Waynelovich, added that Warner always gave great advice and answered every question they had about Looman’s health. She is now 97 years old and outlived even Warner’s estimation that she had “another 15 years,” three decades ago.
“The last time we were in here for her appointment, he actually asked her if she’s eating her fruits and vegetables,” Waynelovich said jokingly.
Ensuring Looman will have continued medical care following his retirement, Warner referred her to Bridge Primary in Greenfield.
In addition to seeing how well Warner treated her aunt, Waynelovich had worked with Warner during his time as an emergency room doctor at Baystate Franklin Medical Center. She said he had been great to work with, and deserves a good retirement.
“I was the night shift supervisor, and none of the docs were particularly happy to be working the night shift, but he was always OK,” Waynelovich said. “He’s older than I am, and he worked longer. I give him credit for that.”
Buckland resident Cynthia Fisher said Warner was not just a doctor to his patients, but a friend as well. He is an avid cyclist and would occasionally join her and other patients while they biked around town, and would answer any medical questions they had while doing so.
“It’s wonderful for him that he’s retiring, but we’re all going to miss him as patients. … He’s just the best doctor,” Fisher said. “But as a doctor and cyclist, he never minded it if you asked him a health question.”
She added that not only did Warner answer questions and give advice while riding his bike, but he made house calls. Fisher recalled that he once came to her house to check in on her after hip surgery, and reassured her that she was healing well.
“We’ve just been so blessed in the community to have had his practice,” Fisher said.
Sue Swope, who has worked as Warner’s office manager for the past three years, said that not only has he been a good doctor, but a good employer as well.
“I couldn’t ask for a better person to work with and work for,” Swope said. “He’s had some challenging patients and I have never in three years seen him lose his patience or cool.”
She said Warner kept a busy practice and frequently moved around his schedule to accommodate patients who had day-of health issues, as well as his previously scheduled appointments. Despite his busy schedule and hundreds of patients, Warner always remembered their names, even if Swope forgot and had to offer a general description of the patient and their health care concerns.
“It’s been just non-stop, but he took it all in stride,” Swope said. “Hopefully now he can take a moment to relax, especially while he’s healthy and can enjoy life.”