Dr. Margie Strong of St. Tammany Pediatrics retires after decades on the Northshore

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Wednesday, February 22, 2023

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Dr. Margie Strong of St. Tammany Pediatrics retires after decades on the Northshore

Mike Scott, mscott@stph.org

Dr. Margie Strong is greeted by St. Tammany Health System Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Torcson at a retirement party for Dr. Strong on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo by Tory Mansfield / STHS)

After 43 years and, by one estimate, some 200,000 patient interactions, Dr. Margie Strong – a fixture in Northshore pediatrics for the past four decades – is hanging up her stethoscope.

Dr. Strong, whose career saw her work for a number of health systems and for a time in private practice, celebrated her retirement Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2023) from St. Tammany Pediatrics, the primary care pediatrics practice of St. Tammany Health System, of which she’s been a member since 2018.

“I can’t think of a better place to end my career than at an institution like St. Tammany,” she said at the practice’s Madisonville clinic, where staff members and health system executives gathered to salute her.

That career started with her graduation from LSU School of Medicine in 1980, followed by a three-year pediatric residency at Earl K. Long Memorial Medical Center in Baton Rouge.  

She followed that by practicing in the Covington area. She’s been there ever since, living for 39 years within a block of the health system’s flagship St. Tammany Parish Hospital.

Among those in attendance Wednesday was Dr. Patrick Torcson, chief medical officer at St. Tammany, whose back-of-the-prescription-pad math indicated Dr. Strong had engaged in roughly 200,000 patient interactions over the course of her career – although that might be on the low end.

“It’s probably double that,” Dr. Torcson said, “because not only are you dealing with the child but also their parents.”

He would know. His daughter was one of her patients.

“Early on, Dr. Strong had a reputation for being good at taking care of doctor’s children,” he said. “I want to thank you for taking care of my daughter – and my wife – for 18 years.”

As for what will come next, travel is at the top of the list. Dr. Strong has a trip to Costa Rica in her immediate future, followed this fall by a trip to Italy.

“But the bravest thing I’m doing is taking my son and daughter-in-law with their six children to Disney World,” she said.

Following the obligatory speechifying and cake-cutting Wednesday, Dr. Strong was presented with gifts including a handmade birdhouse reminiscent of the St. Tammany Pediatrics Clinic – as well as innumerable expressions of thanks.  

“Thank you on behalf of St. Tammany Health System,” Dr. Torcson told her. “Thank you on behalf of the community. And thank you on behalf of the profession.”

From left, St. Tammany Health System Chief Nursing Officer Kerry Milton, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Torcson and Assistant Vice President Dionne Williams take turns speaking during a retirement sendoff for longtime local pediatrician Dr. Margie Strong on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo by Tory Mansfield / STHS)

Dr. Rob Faucheux of St. Tammany Pediatrics embraces longtime colleague Dr. Margie Strong upon Strong’s retirement. (Photo by Tory Mansfield / STHS)

Well-wishes from patients and colleagues adorn a sign for retiring pediatrician Dr. Margie Strong. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

Dr. Margie Strong, center, is surrounded by colleagues during her retirement celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at the St. Tammany Pediatrics clinic in Madisonville. (Photo by Tory Mansfield / STHS)

Dr. Margie Strong reacts upon unwrapping a gift of a hand-crafted birdhouse resembling the St. Tammany Pediatrics Clinic during her retirement celebration. (Photo by Tory Mansfield / STHS)

St. Tammany Health System Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Torcson, left, speaks at a retirement ceremony for local pediatrician Dr. Margie Strong, far right, who has been part of the health system’s St. Tammany Pediatrics practice since 2018. (Photo by Tory Mansfield / STHS)

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