Dear Editor:

I recently learned that Dr. Steve Cook will be leaving the St. Andrews campus and the urgent care center. I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for his many years of service to the Boothbay region. He has been a tremendous asset, a compassionate ER physician and an all around great guy to work with.

In my 15 years here I have not worked with anyone who has been so diligent about picking up the phone or sending vital information back to the office about a patients ER experience. His love and genuine caring for children and young adults exemplifies all of the good things about community medicine. In addition to to that compassionate side, he is an excellent diagnostician and physician. He would regularly make difficult diagnoses, suture complex lacerations and manage some intense mental health issues. After conversations about patients with Dr. Cook, I would often find myself thinking how terrific it would be if he were a pediatrician or a primary care physician, since I would surely be so glad to have him taking care of my family.

So, thank you, Dr. Cook, for your kindness and expertise here in Lincoln County. I am just grateful that, even though you are moving on professionally, that you will still be here in the area, and that my daughter will still see that “other Dr. Steve” hanging out at the Y from time to time.

Dr. Steve Feder
Boothbay Harbor