Since a previous article concerning my relapse with multiple myeloma cancer and the effects of chemotherapy, and after much thought and soul searching, I have decided to retire from the practice of medicine.
Having just turned 70 years old and having practiced medicine for the past 43 years (28 of those years in my current practice of urgent care medicine in Scotts Valley), I think it’s time to move on.
At this time I do feel very well, all things considered. I look forward to having some more time to spend with my wife Beth and my daughter Emma, as well as to pursue other interests, such as restoring my good old ’71 Volkswagen bus. Beth is a musician and music educator and I’m sure I’ll spend more time as her “roadie”.
Being a doctor is something that I had wanted to do since childhood, and it was an honor to follow in the footsteps of my father and grandfather. I have never regretted my decision to enter the medical field. I can’t imagine having pursued a more personally rewarding and satisfying career.
The difficult part of this decision is that up to this very day, I have thoroughly enjoyed practicing medicine and never really thought about retiring. However, besides the health issue, there is also the struggle with the time consuming and impersonal electronic medical record, the seemingly daily burdensome rules and regulations coming from a variety of sources, and the constant concern of malpractice, all of which I will not miss.
But, what an honor and privilege it has been to practice medicine. I have found tremendous satisfaction in treating patients, being able to alleviate suffering, curing illnesses of all sorts and even saving lives. I have enjoyed the one on one interaction I’ve had with patients and having the opportunity of getting to know them and appreciate them for who and what they are.
I’ve been in Scotts Valley long enough to have taken care of children who are now coming to the clinic with their own children. I’ve been saddened when people whom I have come to know have passed away but, on the other hand, I’ve enjoyed watching families grow and witness their changing dynamics. In the past 28 years at Scotts Valley, I figure I’ve had over 100,000 patient visits and therefore have been able to treat a significant number of people from Scotts Valley, the San Lorenzo Valley, and surrounding areas. I’ve always enjoyed walking into a local store or event and seeing the familiar face of a patient and be able to talk with them and to see and know them outside of the medical setting.
I will miss my wonderful supporting clinic staff with whom I have spent much of my recent life and who had become like a family to me. I am also honored to have been associated with as fine a group of physicians as there could ever be, 30 of them when I first began my work with the Santa Cruz Medical clinic in 1987, and now numbering some 210 physicians with our Palo Alto Medical Foundation affiliation.
Most importantly, I want to thank each and every one of you patients who trusted me and allowed me to care for you over the years. It’s my interactions with you that I will miss the most.
However, I am not going away completely. I will continue this medical column as I have many more topics to share with you and much more to say. As I have previously mentioned, I plan to publish a book incorporating the most interesting articles. I’m excited about continuing this work.
Since I won’t be seeing you in the clinic, I look forward to seeing you out in the community.
My very best wishes to you all and remember, life is a gift, gives thanks for each and every day.
This was sad to read…but happy you are still able to pursue your hobbies, including being the roadie that sounds fun. I’m also happy that you will continue your medical blog…Keeping you in my prayers. ..Linda
Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S® 6.
Terry,
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your posts, and glad you will be continuing them during your well deserved retirement. I was so sorry when you were finally diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and have followed your progress and regression.
I hope for the best, and have always considered you a friend.
I’ll look forward to crossing paths in the future!
Jim Dal Porto
you will enjoy your retirement,having so many interests will keep your mind and body active,my best to you always
.Mary
Our family’s first interaction with you was when you adjusted our daughter’s arm and fixed her nursemaid’s elbow. We’ve had multiple interactions with you since then- some just as simple, but other visits fraught with pain, fear, and anxiety. You reassured us when our baby received a bad mouth injury from a fall on stairs. You were every bit as good at the difficult visits as you were with the simple ones.
You’ve stood by our family through good times and bad, and you will be sorely missed at the clinic. Thank you for sharing your gifts and making our community a better place.
It has been an honor and please to know you Dr. H. I wish you health, happiness and a wonderful life. Take care my friend. You will be missed. See you on the road.
Rita Lew.
You have sure blessed my socks off with your articles in the paper and your positive influence on so many SLV neighbors. I’ll never forget the things you shared from your father at the Veterans Day event at Scopazzi’s. I’m keeping you in my prayers! Let us know when your book is ready. Best wishes from Northwest Arkansas!
Thank You Doc for helping me with my numerous Ailments and Hopefully see you in CHURCH!
God bless you and yours.
From my family and I, thank you.
Arthur Candia
Thank you for your wonderful service! You’ve seen all of my family in urgent care many times. We will miss you!
Have a wonderful retirement. You looked after all our kids, Emma John and Alex all of whom now have kids of their own. We, Roy and I, are also retired and live in Wales UK
Thank you so much, Dr. Hollenbeck for all you have done for me and my family over the years. You are sincerely one of the best and most caring doctors I’ve ever met. I wish you the best of everything, and you are right that life is a gift to live it now. I will look forward to reading your columns and your book in the future, and maybe I will see you on the road. Take care and all of my best to you and your family.
From my kids, Joey and Ashley, and I, Dr. Hollenbeck, you are awesome! Thank you for everything! Best wished to you.
You will be greatly missed. Thank you for all the wonderful care you’ve given my family over the years. God bless you and your family.
Dr Hollenbeck,
I saw you at the end of this summer when I was at a difficult time in my life. You were extremely encouraging and helpful, and I was very surprised when you called to check up on me the next day. You stood out as one of the best medical professionals I’ve seen. Thank you
While my family has not been in the system that you have been involved with, I have followed your articles with great interest over the years. We have known Beth since her high school days through our daughter Sue. Your service to the medical community deserves our great respect. We will continue to follow your articles for the foreseeable future.
Chuck and Kay Tamagni
Dear Dr Hollenbeck,
I am terribly sorry to hear you’ve been battling cancer, I wasn’t aware of your diagnosis. It’s been a while since I’ve had the privilege of seeing your trademark smile and discussing health issues or just life in general. Thank you for faithfully serving our community all these years. You are one of a kind, a dedicated doctor and gentleman. Take care of yourself and enjoy the slower pace retirement will bring.
God bless you, Pat & family
I saw you a few times with my children and my son an asthmatic was sick, not as sick has he had been many times before, but his oxygen level of 88 made you so very concerned and you made him stay for 2 treatments and almost hospitalized him, that shocked me into realizing just how serious my little guys condition was. Thank you for caring, thank you for sharing with all of us.
My son is 29 and still has a few lung issues but so glad you cared!!!
Thank you for all you did for everyone.
Time and time again I saw you in Urgent Care. You helped me so many times and my family members as well. I was always happy to see your name on the list when I had my emergencies. I am saddened that you have to retire but glad at the same time that you will be spending more time with your family. Having recently retired myself, it is great to be able to do what you want, when you want. I wish you better health as quickly as possible.
Brunella Deeds
By the way I wanted to let you know Barbara had passed on in case you didn’t know!
Terry,
Wish you the best in retirement, I to am contemplating retirement soon as well. I remember your Dad, Stan, his service with the 32nd, your Mom, Cathy and your great home on Orchard (?) in Elm Grove as well as our families Easter vacation (circa 1963) at Wagon Wheel. My prayers are with you! God Speed & Semper Fidelis,