Virden physician Dr. Michael Fitzgerald announced his retirement some months ago and he officially retired at the end of March. An afternoon come-and-go tea in Virden Legion Club Room brought warm well-wishes from the community. Following that, an evening meal and celebration in the Legion Hall not only surprised Fitzgerald but helped bring closure to his weighty decision to retire from the work he loved.
As a young doctor from Athlone, Ireland, he crossed the water in 1986 to check out Canada, the country that would become his new home. It’s a classic story as Fitzgerald found in Virden, medical colleagues, his life partner, and a community that willingly adopted him as their trusted physician. He’s been in Virden ever since.
Initially, Fitzgerald was passing through Virden to meet a friend there, Dr. Eric Jacobsohn. The two doctors had worked together in Newfoundland. Then, by September 1987, Fitzgerald was called to Virden to take on family practice.
Surrounded by supportive colleagues, Fitzgerald put down roots.
“Dr. Yates, Denis, and Paddy Yates were like surrogate parents to me. Dr. Jacobsohn and Dr. Hedden were mentors and friends for the first years.”
So, it was a joyful surprise when last Saturday, April 9, Drs. Jacobsohn and Hedden, now practicing in Winnipeg, greeted Fitzgerald at his retirement party.
Fitzgerald has seen at least 31 doctors come and go; he’s been a doctor in Virden longer than he has not.
His retirement means change, not just for his patients, but for Virden Medical Group.
“I delivered babies until 1996, so I’ve looked after multi-generations. – Dr. Fitzgerald
He says, “After 35 years, retiring invokes sadness in me but, what mitigates some of the sadness is the fact that Jennifer Hammell is here. Apart from all the attributes of a great doctor, she’s got that curiosity about how the medical system works, how the hospital works - what is there, what should be there, and how it can be better.”
He has a perspective peculiar to that of a longstanding family physician. “I delivered babies until 1996, so I’ve looked after multi-generations. The grandparents, the parents, and the children. There’s nothing like it.” He says this has provided a real connection with the college-age generation. “If you looked after their mum and dad, grandmum and granddad, that’s a special bond for these kids.”
But Fitzgerald feels it’s time to pass the torch. “There’s a lot to keep up with now. You know when you need to retire. At the moment we’re very lucky and have a good group of international medical grads. They’ll carry on and hopefully, some of them will stay.”
Looking into his future, family time is highest on the retiring doctor’s list. “Being a rural doc is a tough thing on family togetherness, but that will be a huge part, spending time with my wife and son.”
He says, “The most important reason that I’m still here after 35 years, that’s Cindy, my wife, and my son who lives in Lethbridge.” It was his son Brodie’s presence that was one of the great surprises of the evening party in the Virden Legion Hall.
Extended family such as Cindy’s parents, her sister and family have played an important role for Fitzgerald. “Pete and Adeline Sitter and her sister Leslie and Brian Braybrook treated me like family.”
He has enjoyed being part of the Virden community. “I’m not a very sociable person but the community allowed, encouraged, me to be involved in sports.”
The family plans to stay in Virden and the doctor will continue to practice medicine but under different conditions.
“I will relax and rest a bit. There’s a couple of things I’ve always wanted to do.” He says that northern communities are served by a rural medical air service program where doctors can spend a few days or a week at a time there. It’s an important need that Dr. Fitzgerald can see himself fulfilling. That and possibly a locum position now and then.
At the come-and-go tea, where cupcakes were served by the Ladies Auxiliary, many patients, some up into their 90s, attended, and there, Dr. Fitzgerald was formally thanked.
Dr. J. Hammell read a letter from Dr. Gauthier, VP of Medical and Diagnostics for PMH, and presented a certificate of commendation for his time and service as a family physician in Virden.
Michelle McKay, Director of Medical Services for PMH (health region) brought greetings and best wishes. She thanked Fitzgerald for being a wonderful mentor, always happy to help with consults.
Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Virden Rhonda Stewart along with Maxine Chacun (retention and recruitment committee) thanked Dr. Fitzgerald for his service on behalf of the town and surrounding rural municipalities.
