Retirement Announcement – Dr. David M. Lee
Dear patients,
It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from active medical practice, effective January 18, 2024. It has been my pleasure and privilege to help guide your healthcare needs over the last 21+ years.
As of January 19th, 2024, Dr. Taylor Schmidt will take over my practice. Many of you have already met Dr. Schmidt. Honestly, he reminds me a lot of myself when I started practicing back in 2002. Dr. Schmidt grew up in Elmore City, Oklahoma. He was trained at UTSW in Dallas in Internal Medicine, and he did a fellowship in HIV medicine. I am glad to leave my patients in his capable hands. I know many of you have met other providers at UPG over the years, and if you’d prefer to see one of them, please feel free to reach out to them.
Of course, you may seek medical care from another doctor if you prefer. If you choose to do so, I recommend looking for a new physician as soon as possible. Dr. Marc Tribble has a new practice, MD Progressive Care, which I recommend if you decide to leave UPG.
Many of you have come to rely on direct access to me through personal outreach. Unfortunately, beginning January 19th, 2024, I will no longer be able to provide any medical guidance. I will not have the ability to prescribe any medication, and I will not have access to your medical records, thus, all your medical questions will need to go through your new medical team.
Your medical records are confidential, and a copy can be transferred to another doctor or released to you or to another person you designate with your permission. If you plan to continue receiving your care at UPG, there is nothing you need to do except book an appointment with another UPG provider. If you choose to see a different physician, please let the office know as soon as possible so we can transfer your records to your new doctor to prevent any disruption in your medical care. Your records will continue to be on file at UPG.
I have valued our relationship over the years more than you can imagine. We have grown together. We have been ill together. And we have healed together. Thank you for your loyalty and friendship over the years we have partnered together.
Casey and I will, of course, continue to travel, but there is more I feel I need to accomplish and more people I want to help. I have a deep-seated need and passion to help people in other countries. I worked for a month in Swaziland (in southern Africa) during my residency, and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. I felt I really made an immediate positive impact on patients’ lives there. I want to take the knowledge that I have learned through you and through my years of experience here in the USA to help underserved patients in other countries with limited resources. My time as a doctor is not done! Just my time as a doctor in the USA.
Hopefully, my voice will remain in your head – take your medications every day. Get the vaccines you need to stay healthy. Get your colonoscopy and other recommended screenings I’ve been bugging you about. Exercise. Minimize your alcohol use. Meditate. And be happy. I will be cheering you on from the sidelines!
Sincerely,
David M. Lee, MD
