Courtesy: CHAT Newsroom

By Angela Kazmierczak

Local surgeon announces his retirement after treating the community for 38 years

May 12, 2023 | 4:18 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – After serving the Medicine Hat community for 38 years, Dr. Ronald Witzke has announced his retirement.

Dr. Witzke worked as a doctor in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 15 years, before working as a senior general surgeon at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. At the hospital, he performed trauma, cancer, major surgeries, and repair surgeries of the hernia. He worked on-call many nights and was instrumental in bringing gastrointestinal services to the area, including endoscopy and colonoscopy examinations.

Over the last five years, he’s worked part-time, performing office surgeries on lumps and bumps and vasectomies – a service that was sorely in need of in the community.

The surgeon would like to extend a big thank you to the community.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

4h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Medicine Hat. I appreciate the people. They’re very generous and thankful people. I’ve been fortunate enough to have their confidence. I feel honoured to have served this community for so long, and I’d like to thank the community for allowing me to treat them,” said Dr. Witzke.

Dr. Witzke’s last consultation is slated for June 30, 2023, and his final surgeries will be completed in July of 2023. He’s currently speaking with some younger general surgeons about taking over his in-office services.

He looks forward to spending time with his grandkids and doing some traveling.