Dear Families,
On July 2, 2021, I will see my last family and retire from pediatrics. Since I’ve known of my retirement date (about 4 weeks ago), I’ve been informing most of the families I’ve seen, but it hasn’t really affected me until right now as I’m writing this retirement letter: It is with unmitigated sadness that I’m saying goodbye. I have a lot to look forward to and a lot of exciting things to do (when my wife and I move to our new home in Blaine, Washington), but none of that compensates for the thought of never seeing you all again.
I’m recalling those of you that are just starting your families with your first or second babies, and I know I’m not going to see your babies and children and families grow. And I’m thinking of those of you that are no longer having babies and are in the midst of raising your children, and I’m not going to see that process continue. And there are many of you that I’ve known for years, who are now young adults, and I have to say goodbye before I’m ready. And there are some less conventional families that have been a joy and inspiration to see, but I’ll never see again.
I am comforted knowing all of your children are going to continue to receive the best medical care from Dr. Koutures. He and I have been partners for more than 20 years, so I do not worry about the future of your children’s medical care. And he’s much younger than me, so he will continue to help you for many years before he has to confront retirement and write a similar letter.
I thank you all for teaching me about babies, children, adolescents and all sorts of families. And I thank you for allowing me to witness your children’s growth during the 36 years I’ve been at the Anaheim Hills office.
And finally, to those of you who were babies, children and adolescents when we first met and who are now parents of your own children, a very special goodbye to you and your parents: I can’t adequately express the feeling of caring for a child, watching that child grow to adulthood, have their own children and then being trusted to care of another generation of their family.
Sincerely,
Keith Gladstien
