Perkins Co. doctors Colglazier, Demmel retiring end of June

    Drs. Clifford Colglazier, M.D and Ruth Demmel, M.D. have announced the closing of their practice at the Colglazier Medical Clinic in Grant effective June 30.
    “After 40-plus years, we have decided to retire,” Colglazier said.
    Dr. Ernest Colglazier, M.D. began a family practice in Grant in 1941. His son, Dr. Clifford Colglazier joined the practice in 1979 and Dr. Demmel joined the practice in 1983.
    The Colglazier Clinic served the community for some eight decades after the elder Colglazier began the family practice.
    A number of Chase County residents were patients of Drs. Colglazier and Demmel over the years.
    Dr. Clifford Colglazier joined the practice in 1979, after his residency in Iowa. Dr. Demmel joined the practice after several years in family practice in Hartington.
    “We will continue to see patients as usual through June 30. After that date, our Nurse Practitioner, Julie Kuskie, APRN will continue her practice at Perkins County Health Services in Grant,” Dr. Colglazier said.
    Dr. Colglazier said he will work behind the scenes to help make a smooth transition for long-time patient clientele. They will assist in transferring pertinent patient records to other facilities, per request, for the next three months, he added.
    “We have certainly enjoyed our patients, from babies to the elderly, over these many years,” said Colglazier. “We thank you for trusting us with your health care needs.”
    Demmel said, “You’ve presented a diversity of challenges, sorrows and joys over those 40 years. We’ll miss our conversations and hearing about your families, as well as the aches and pains of your lives,” she said.
    The two physicians recognized the many medical and health care colleagues throughout the years, including Drs. E.E.Colglazier, L.C. Potts and P.F. Bottom who they said were great mentors.
    “Those who serve with us now also have taught us a lot and we appreciate their help in caring for patients,” said Dr. Colglazier.
    “This community has been blessed and continues to be blessed with great nursing staff and ancillary staff which makes this a great community in which to work. We can’t name them all, but appreciate their strong support over the years,” he added.
    Dr. Demmel is also grateful for the support staff.
    “We’ve had wonderful clinic staff for all these years and appreciate their keeping our office running smoothly, efficiently and always caring for our patients and putting them first,” she said.
    The physicians offered a joint statement:
    “It has been our great joy to have served and cared for this community that we love. We know we are leaving you in good hands for continued excellent medical care. We wish all continued health and happiness,” they said.
Future plans
    Dr. Colglazier will likely spend more time in his garden and among his flowers. He hopes to visit his family more often with his wife, Janie, who was also a long-time staff member at the clinic.
    Dr. Demmel will find new books to read and hopes to spend more time traveling and visiting family and grandchildren with her husband, Dennis.