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.”