Nor cast one longing lingering look behind Thomas Gray, Elegy in a Country Churchyard by Richard Ratzan, M.D. Abstract: On the eve of retirement after 45 years as a physician, the author reflects on a lifelong inclusion in medicine, from early childhood days as the son of a medical couple to a career in emergency medicine. He anticipates with dread the day when he will no longer belong in the ranks of those who are unquestionably healers. Keywords: retirement, profession, collegiality, nostalgia, autobiography, clinical medicine, emergency medicine Two years ago I walked out of my emergency department ending 43 years as an employed academic physician. Although I realized at the … Continue reading →