Dear Editor:

I'm sure that I echo the sentiments of many people in this community when I say how much respect and admiration I have for Nancy J. Oliphant, M.D. She has been my personal physician, my mom's doctor, and my husband's doctor for the last several years. She has always diagnosed and treated us with accuracy, care, empathy and humor. "Dr. O" was also a valiant warrior along with the rest of us, in fighting to keep St. Andrews Hospital open. She also served on the board of the Boothbay Region Health & Wellness Foundation, bringing to life many needed services for our community, like the Seniors Walk Free at the Y program, the People Helping People senior support network, and the Community Center. She was involved with the initial strategic planning for the Boothbay Region Health Center.

Nancy allowed us to buy out her medical practice at the end of 2017 so that she could practice medicine; not deal with health insurance companies. She taught us an enormous amount about running a small, independent family medical practice. She would have liked to have had the chance to stay on, practice medicine, at least part-time, and continue to impart her considerable knowledge and experience. Unfortunately, that didn't work out as we had both hoped. It is with genuine regret and sadness that our Board chose not to renew her contract. That decision had nothing to do with her professional competence--she is, and remains, an excellent physician.

We want everyone in the community to know what a caring person and an excellent physician, Nancy J. Oliphant is.

Patty Seybold

Board President

Boothbay Region Health Center