July 27, 2001

For nearly half a century, John D. Stoeckle,MD, (on left, with patient Joseph Giovannini) of MGH Internal Medicine, has been a beloved figure both in the hospital and in his large and diverse community of patients. Hundreds of those patients, along with colleagues and friends, gathered to thank Stoeckle at his retirement celebration July 12.

Guests were treated to live piano melodies, desserts and hors d'oeuvres under the Bulfinch Tent as they patiently waited in a lengthy line to greet Stoeckle. Message books quickly were filled with heartfelt tributes to the physician, who is widely credited with cementing the value of primary care at the MGH, sharing his philosophy that "the secret of caring for the patient is to care."

Despite leaving his clinical post, Stoeckle will remain active in the MGH community, largely through his work with the John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care. The center was established last year to commemorate and continue his work in improving primary care. Under the leadership of its advisory board and co-directors Michael Barry, MD, of MGH Internal Medicine, and James Perrin, MD, of MassGeneral Hospital for Children, the center fosters collaboration and understanding between clinicians and patients.

For more information about the Stoeckle Center, call (617) 724-8824 or send e-mail to shayman@partners.org