Dr. Woods retirement reception
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WHEATLAND – With almost 43 years of service to the community, Dr. Willard Woods M.D. has retired from medicine for now. He was given a party and reception Jan. 15 at the First State Bank Conference Center.
Dr. Woods learned a variety of skills during his tenure as a doctor. These skills helped him serve the community of Wheatland.
“I was a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist,” said Woods. “I also did family practice and did general surgery.”
Dr. Woods has spent 50 years practicing medicine. It has been a journey which began in the military, then changed to civilian.
“I was in the Army for several years,” said Woods. “And then in 1979 I came to Wheatland and I’ve been practicing here up until last November.”
According to Woods, becoming a doctor was in the cards since he was young and that it has been a dream he would not have changed.
“Well I’ve wanted to be a doctor my whole life,” said Woods. “And I planned on doing that from a young age and it’s worked out really well. I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done for any reason.”
April 1 of this year would have marked 43 years in Wheatland for Dr. Woods. He started out his practice with partners.
“I had my own practice with partners until about 2015 and then we sold our practice to Banner Health,” said Woods. “And I’ve been employed by Banner Health since then until November 2021.”
Working in the community for such a long time has given Dr. Woods the privilege of seeing families grow up and being able to help them grow.
“Well, I’ve got to see patients I’ve delivered grow up and deliver some of their children,” said Woods. “It’s a unique experience to take care of people for 30 or 40 years and watch those families change throughout that time. It’s been a real labor of love for me and I would not have changed anything for any reason. I’d say the most challenging thing when you live and practice in a small town is that sometimes you’re the Lone Ranger and you don’t have the backup you’d like to have in a large hospital, but that’s just part of the deal.”
There are still questions and uncertainty for Dr. Woods.
“As of right now I’m retired, but I’m not sure what my future holds,” said Woods.
