Long-Time Staffers Celebrate Retirement

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

The New Year represented a new beginning for several cherished members of our Watson Clinic family. Three of our own recently embarked on the next exciting chapter of their lives known as retirement. Each retiree was honored with special celebrations attended by friends, family and colleagues.

Dr. Jorge Gonzalez wore many hats over the course of his 36 years with us. He started his cardiology practice in January of 1985, and served as our Medical Director for a number of years. His breadth of service extended beyond the clinic to include his duties as the president of the Polk County Medical Association in 2007, and as president of the medical staff at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in 1995. For our patient base, Dr. Gonzalez was long considered one of the most treasured, recognizable, and trusted members of the Watson Clinic team.

After 16 years as a Watson Clinic physician, rheumatologist Dr. Ann Winny also bid farewell at the end of 2021.

"Dr. Winny was one of the most caring providers I have had the privilege to work with," clinical director Heather Gordon reflected. "She always worked her hardest to accommodate the patients and their needs. She always took the time to explain what, at times, were difficult and complex diagnosis. She understood the challenges of work and home life balance and always tried to provide that for not only herself but her staff."

Finally, radiology technologist Carole Kurtz was joined by her Watson Clinic South co-workers as she celebrated her retirement after a 31-year career.

"She was super sweet and had a giving heart," complimented co-worker and x-ray tech Sarah Schmidt. "She trained me nearly 10 years ago and made me feel right at home. Her coworkers and patients will miss seeing her around."

Watson Clinic extends our appreciation to each of these essential members of our team, and we wish them the very best in all their future endeavors!

1/18/2022

Comments:

Response to: Long-Time Staffers Celebrate Retirement
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Ruth Miller says:

Dr. Jorge Gonzalez: I guess now the Brenner, Brown, Gonzalez cardiology team, which was in place when I worked there years ago have all finally retired. I just wanted to say congratulations on your retirement. I hope you will find that retirement will be good for you, although it may take some getting used to in the beginning. I have been completely retired now for 11 years and it has been great. I have had time to write and have published four books and working on two more. I still keep in touch with Dr. Brenner via email 3-4 times a year as well. I wish you the best on your retirement and hope you will slow down now and "enjoy the roses along the way." Wishing you the best of luck! Ruth H. Miller Former Secretary to Dr. Brenner 1977-1999

Response to: Long-Time Staffers Celebrate Retirement
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Ruth H. Miller says:

Dr. Gonzalez: Congratulations on your retirement! I guess now, the former Brenner, Browne, Gonzalez cardiology team have all retired. I have been retired (completely retired) since 2011 and the past 11 years have been great. I have managed to do some writing which I have wanted to do for a long time and have published a book on poetry, a mystery novel, and am working on my biography for my children and grandchildren as well as trilogy that I call my "Uncharted" series -- I have published Uncharted Residence and Uncharted Memories and am now working on Uncharted Pilgrimage -- these are mystery novels which have intrigue, some fairy-tale lore and a tad of romance. Retirement has been good for Leon and me and I hope you will slow down a little now and have time to "smell the roses along the way." You will enjoy it, but it might take getting used to at first. I wish you the very best and hope your future will be good for you! I still keep in touch with Dr. Brenner 3-4 times a ye

Response to: Long-Time Staffers Celebrate Retirement
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Gwen Allen says:

I was a patient of Dr. Gonzales for over 30 years. It is through his caring and knowledge that I've been able to enjoy my retirement. As I told him last month, "I highly recommend retirement!" I'm very appreciative of a couple of incidents. 1) my first heart catherization. I was very scared, Dr. Gonzalez told the anesthodist to "kick it up a notch". The next thing I knew, I was back in my hospital room. Thanks to you Dr. Gonzalez, succeeding heart catherizations were easier to tolerate. And then there was the time I was driven to the hospital by Dr. Gonzalez. He had arranged for several procedures and a few days later I came home the proud possessor of an ICD. Talk about service! And lastly, I remember his friendly hand shakes. I'm sure he was glad to see all of his patients, but it did make me feel special. Enjoy your retirement. Gwen Allen

Response to: Long-Time Staffers Celebrate Retirement
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
DIANE FITZGERALD says:

My sweet mother was a patient of Dr. Gonzalez for many years, and the last 12 of her life, I’d visit Dr. Gonzalez with her. He is a caring , supportive and giving . When she needed him, he always made it possible. We never want our Doctors to retire..especially when they’ve become a support system in one’s life. I wish you all the best Dr. Gonzalez..you deserve all that life has to offer. I was a patient of Dr. Winnys. I know this was a very difficult decision for her to make. On our first meeting, I knew we’d get along great and was not disappointed. Again, smart, supportive and wanted the very best for her patients. I will say it again, it is so difficult when one of your Doctors retire, leave or move on. Very best wishes to you!