Peter Martin to retire from practice at Tekoa

County Coroner Peter Martin Monday announced plans to retire from his practice at the Tekoa Medical Clinic. Martin, who said he will continue to serve as county coroner, plans to turn the clinic over to the Whitman Medical Group which will begin serving patients in the Tekoa area after the first of the year.

His retirement date will be Dec. 31.

Certified as a physician’s assistant, Martin has practiced at the Tekoa Clinic for the past 23 years. He said over the years the clinic patient list has expanded from 300 to 1,500 patients.

“Without exception, the greatest privilege has been getting to know and care for each and every one of our patients,” Martin noted.

Martin said he and Whitman Medical Group staff members have worked over the past year to make the transition as smooth at possible.

“The new Whitman Medical Group practice will be able to offer a broad range of services that will definitely benefit our patients and our community, now and in the future,” Martin noted.

The medical group initially plans to practice at the clinic four days a week.

Martin said he believes changes in the medical field now make it difficult for a sole provider to keep up with the record requirement of government and insurance companies. He noted practices now require extensive computer capability to function.

Martin noted he decided to make arrangements for a smooth transition for the clinic for the benefit of the patients and staff.

“You need to retire before you actually have to retire. If you wait until you have to retire, then that leaves nothing for the patients,” Martin noted.

Tekoa area voters last November approved formation of a hospital district for acquisition of the clinic building. A levy of up to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation was approved.