After 6,549 babies, Muhlenberg Co. doc is ready for normal office hours | Health

Dr. David Conatser says he's ready to slow down a bit.  The Greenville physician with Community Health Centers of Western Kentucky will settle into a more normal routine at the end of August. 

He wrote a letter to friends and patients on Friday:

Thank you Greenville and Muhlenberg County and Muhlenberg Community Hospital and Community Health Centers of Western Kentucky.

It has been 29 years since I left the Air Force and settled here. 

I am on the brink of another major transition.   After 40 years of delivering babies, 29 of those years here, it is time for me to act my age and give up the long and unpredictable hours, the interrupted sleep and meals and just plain fun of delivering babies and settle into a normal 40 hour work week in the office.

Teenagers I met during their first pregnancy are grandmothers now.   Babies I have delivered have grown up to be parents and nurses and teachers and miners and farmers and musicians and …    and soldiers.  Some have given their lives for our country.  Many more have served honorably and returned.  And thousands are making their contribution to our great county and state and country right here.   It is humbling to have had the opportunity to help them into the world safely. 

Delivering babies has always been my favorite and the most rewarding part of my practice, and I will miss it.   But it is time.

I have delivered 6319 babies since I moved here.   230 to babies I delivered.   And there will be a few more before I finally wind down in mid August 2012.

I am looking forward to a more manageable pace working 40 hours a week at my same office as part of Community Health Centers of Western Kentucky.   I will be doing office gynecology and will make referrals for people needing hospital care.   If any of the obstetricians in the neighboring communities would like for me to see their patients for some of their prenatal visits to avoid the drives, I will be happy to do that, but only at the request of and in collaboration with the doctor who will be delivering the baby.

Thank you all again for a wonderful 29 years.   I am looking forward to many more in an office practice.