Submitted by: PeaceHealth
On Dec. 31, 2019, Ronald Woo, MD, will (metaphorically) hang up his lab coat one final time at PeaceHealth Orthopedic & Sports Medicine as he officially begins retirement. Although he’ll continue to assist and consult with patients on a part-time basis, his absence will certainly be felt by all those touched by orthopedic care in our community.
The pathway to orthopedics
Dr. Woo clearly found his niche in the field of orthopedics. After completing his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, a chance encounter with orthopedic surgeons via ski patrol planted the seed that would lead him to the University of Washington School of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedic Surgery—and ultimately result in thousands of lives changed for the better in his more than 37 years as an orthopedic surgeon in Whatcom County.
Wisdom from an impactful career
As he reflected about his lengthy career, Dr. Woo noted the many changes that took place along the way and emphasized the importance of flexibility and adaptability.
He also shared longevity advice for those just starting out their medical careers that can apply to any workers in any field: Be ready to constantly evolve. Keep interested and keep up with changes. Go to national meetings. Learn new technologies. Stay grounded in family. Maintain hobbies and interests outside of work. Stay active and healthy. And, last but not least, don’t worry too much.
Dr. Woo has certainly left his mark on our community, and he will be missed. When asked what he’ll miss the most, he instantly noted the relationships he’s developed with his colleagues and patients. “My co-workers have become friends, and I’ve gotten to know many of my patients on a personal level after following their care for multiple decades,” he said. “I’ll also miss the intimacy of having a patient come to me with a problem to solve and trusting me to fix it. I love being able to provide that hands-on help and see the positive outcome that results.”
The next chapter
Dr. Woo reported that he hopes to enjoy his Golden Years as much as he’s able. He certainly does not plan on slowing down. “I’m not going to be one of those retirees who stays home and reads books!” he joked. He’ll spend his time traveling, golfing, skiing, biking, creating memories with family and working on special projects to make downtown Bellingham a better place for all of us.
From the entire team at PeaceHealth: Congratulations on your retirement, Dr. Woo. Thank you for your years of dedicated care, and we wish you health and happiness as you begin your next adventures.
