Wednesday, September 30, 2015 By TRAVIS WEIK tweik@thecouriertimes.com

After 40 years of practicing medicine, local pediatrician Robert Gould is retiring. Today is his last day. Gould has been a staple in the lives of Henry County families since Jimmy Carter was in the White House. Gould has been handing out shots and bandages for so long, he is now seeing third generation patients.

“Children of children of children,” Gould said with a chuckle. “It’s pretty cool, it really is. It’s nice to see the young people grow up and get families of their own and become good mothers and fathers. It’s been a real pleasure, a treat. I’ve particularly enjoyed that.”

The former Army doctor met fellow physician Lynn Bowers in Fort Hood, Texas, in 1975. Gould followed Bowers to the heart of Henry County two years later and created a partnership that would touch the lives of thousands of families. The Bowers and Gould practice officially became part of Henry County Memorial Hospital in 1994 as New Castle Pediatrics. He believes the children and their families will continue to receive quality care after he leaves.
“The practice is going well, and we have good people,” Gould said.

Gould said he and Bowers were the only medical providers at the practice for more than 20 years. Doctor Joshua Underhill joined the New Castle Pediatrics team four years ago. Pediatrician Geralynn Malloy began work at NCP this week. Doctors Heather Richardson and Kenton Hilbish are both scheduled to begin treating New Castle children before February, 2016. New Castle Peds also has four nurse practitioners who see patients every day.

“We’ve got some good people coming, and we look forward to the changes. But we’ll definitely miss him,” said Nurse Practitioner Nadine Bertram.

Patients come to the office from beyond the surrounding counties. Underhill said New Castle pediatricians also participate in educational outreach programs with Head Start and the YMCA preschool. Underhill said the staff growth will help New Castle Pediatrics reach more patients.

“(Gould) has been a good person work alongside. It’s just a privilege to get to know him. He’s a really neat guy,” Underhill said.

Gould said he will miss his patients. He exalted New Castle parents for the struggles they go through while raising their children, as well.

“The mothers here and dads here are just outstanding. They really do a good job with their kids,” Gould said.
Gould said he has no big plans for retirement, other than spending some time on the beach in Florida. He hopes to mentor at Hamilton Southeastern schools and volunteer with his wife at the Hamilton County Meals on Wheels program.

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