It has been an emotional week. Monday morning began with the news of one of my favorite patients being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. When I sent him a text, “Just saw the cancer diagnosis. I am praying for you,” his response moved me to tears. “Thank you. How are you doing? I’m praying for you as well.” He had just received a terrible diagnosis, yet he was concerned about me.
Later that morning, I saw a new patient stricken with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a brutal condition in which injury to a limb triggers ongoing excruciating pain. When I expressed knowledge of the condition and shared my experience with the new pain medication that blocks the transmission of pain signals from peripheral nerves she told me, “My husband and I prayed at dinner last night that you would be a good doctor. You are the first doctor I have seen that gets it.”
The week also included a lengthy visit with an elderly couple who had recently moved to the area. At the end of our hour together, which included lengthy conversations about their health conditions and wishes for the end of life, the man shook my hand and said, “Of all of the checkups and doctor visits I have had in my life, today was truly remarkable.” His words touched me deeply.
What made these conversations so powerful and heart wrenching was the realization that I will not be able to care for any of these patients much longer. The nerve disease I have been battling for the last decade has gained the upper hand, and I am no longer able to work enough hours to sustain the practice. It is with profound sadness that I announce my retirement from Primary Care effective March 1, 2026. The house that has been our medical home since 2004 is now in escrow, and will close its doors for good on February 27.
I tried to find a doctor to take over for me, but very few new physicians are interested in private practice, particularly as a solo provider. Young doctors prefer places like Kaiser, with salary guarantees, set schedules, and generous retirement plans.
All is not completely lost, for a local medical group has stepped forward to rescue me from feeling I was abandoning my patients. Edinger Medical Group has contracted with me to perform dermatology procedures a few mornings each week, (biopsies and removals of skin cancers, lipomas and skin cysts) and offered Brandie Walton, our PA for the last 20 years, a position in Primary Care. It will be a big change and I will miss caring for my patient’s ongoing needs, but at least I will not have to fade away completely.
The next three months will be rough; I expect a lot of tearful goodbyes. If I don’t get to tell you personally, I want to take this opportunity to say, “Thank you,” to all who have allowed me to be a part of their lives. Being a Family Doctor has been the privilege of a lifetime. It never felt like “work,” and I received far more love and kindness than I gave.
Dr. B
Realizing that patients reading this post may have concerns about their care going forward, I have set up a special email address for them to send their questions at this link.
(I don’t want to type out the full address, as it will lead to spam, but the first half is Dr.BarrettRetirement and the second half is @gmail.com)
Please do not call the office with questions about my retirement, or send messages through the patient portal, as doing so will make it difficult for us to meet the medical needs of our patients.